Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has been feted with
three prestigious international awards at the 3rd Edition of the UNIPGC Global
Leadership Investment Summit and Peace Awards (GLISPA), held at the historic
House of Lords in London.
Sonko, who attended the summit as both keynote speaker and
award recipient, was recognised for his humanitarian work, transformational
leadership, and enduring commitment to social justice.
The American University of Peace and Governance (AUPG, USA)
conferred on him an Honorary Doctorate in Leadership and Governance, citing his
achievements in sustainable humanitarian initiatives and contributions to
social development.
He was also presented
with the Leadership Excellence Award by the UNIPGC Supreme Council for his
patriotism and promotion of peace and good governance.
The honours were capped with the Leadership Excellence and
Distinguished Personality Award, in recognition of his dedication to
coexistence, peace-building, and governance excellence.
“These awards are not just for me as an individual,” Sonko
said in his acceptance speech. “They are for the many ordinary men and women in
Kenya whose resilience, hope, and hard work continue to inspire me in my journey
of service.”
Reflecting on his leadership journey, Sonko said that
politics alone could not define his mission.
“I have always believed that leadership without compassion
is incomplete,” he told delegates.
“Throughout my years in public service, I have sought to be
a man of the people, reaching out beyond policies and politics to touch lives
in tangible ways. Whether through education support, healthcare interventions, or responding to emergencies, my greatest objective has been seeing hope
restored to families and communities.”
He also spoke candidly about the political challenges he
encountered during his tenure, including his impeachment in 2019, which he
attributed to his resistance against entrenched corruption.
“I vividly remember when I intervened to stop the illegal
takeover of a school and church property in Nairobi. Innocent children,
teachers and church leaders were attacked, and my team had to step in to
protect them. Instead of the culprits facing justice, I was later charged and
impeached for defending the voiceless,” Sonko recalled.
“But when a new administration came in, the politically motivated charges were dropped, and justice prevailed.”
Despite such setbacks, Sonko stressed that philanthropy
remains central to his mission.
Through his foundation, he has provided medical support,
education and even burial assistance for thousands of families unable to meet
the costs.
“In many parts of Africa, poverty levels are so high that
families cannot even afford to bury their loved ones due to hospital or
mortuary bills. Through my foundation, we have helped thousands give their
departed relatives a decent burial, and we continue to support the less
fortunate in education, healthcare, and emergencies,” he said.
He urged world leaders to place peace and inclusivity at the
heart of governance, warning that inequality and neglect would only deepen
instability.
“The challenges of poverty, inequality, and peace-building
are not confined within borders; they require all of us, leaders, investors, and
citizens, to act with a shared vision and responsibility,” he remarked.
Describing the awards as a reminder of the responsibility he
bears, Sonko said he would remain committed to serving humanity.
“Every opportunity I have had to help others has been a blessing, and I thank God for guiding me along this path,” he said.
“Every act of kindness can create ripples of change, and I
have witnessed first-hand the profound impact that support can have on
individuals and communities alike. It is the resilience and hope of those I
serve that inspires me daily.”
The summit, organised by the United Nations International
Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC) in partnership with the Foreign
Investment Network (FIN) and AUPG, convened global leaders, policy experts, and
distinguished personalities to discuss governance, peace, and sustainable
development.
Sonko also called for compassion as a central pillar of
global leadership.
“Let us continue to illuminate lives and nurture hope
wherever possible. Let us invest in people, nurture compassion, and build a more
peaceful and inclusive world,” he said.
With the three honours now added to his name, Sonko’s
recognition at the House of Lords further cemented his reputation as a leader
who, despite controversy, has remained steadfast in philanthropy and social
advocacy.
