- In December 2022, Sonko came forth, again offering to cater for Baby Sagini's treatment, including medical bills after his eyes were gouged out in Kisii.
- "Don't worry, you haven't killed anyone and the law is very clear. I will bail you out, you are innocent until proven guilty."
Image: FILE
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko is nationally known for his volunteering deeds, and quick to help personality.
As everything else is going on in the country, Sonko will spot an area in which he'll rush to help.
Some of his critics have come forth to claim that the politician is helping others to gain political mileage, and in many instances for his own good, as others termed it 'PR'.
Sonko has, however, refuted these claims saying he has successfully helped many people singlehandedly, without wanting anything in return.
Even though his political ambitions are not aligning, Sonko has never given up on being philanthropic.
During his tenure as Senator, Sonko also established a humanitarian group dubbed 'Sonko Rescue Team' which is responsible for helping Kenyans whenever emergencies occur.
It became more popular when he was elected governor of Nairobi, and its mandate was criticised by other leaders, including the then-governor Evans Kidero.
The team not only responded to issues in Nairobi but also in Machakos, Kericho and other counties.
On October 13, when news broke of an alleged quack advocate who had been representing his 'clients' in court, the governor posted a video, in which he pledged to help the youth, Brian Mwenda in the case he was being accused of.
"Don't worry, you haven't killed anyone and the law is very clear. I will bail you out, you are innocent until proven guilty, we are going to help you with this case," Sonko told Brian who was standing beside him.
Sonko also promised to take the ambitious youth for further studies abroad.
"All those attacking this brilliant brain on social media should stop, I will ensure he goes back to school. We have initiated the process of admitting him to an international university, so that he becomes an advocate, he is the future Chief Justice/Attorney General of this country," he said.
In December 2022, Sonko came forth, again offering to cater for Baby Sagini's treatment, including medical bills after his eyes were gouged out in Kisii.
I have conducted thorough research on which is the best hospital that can at least attend to Baby Sagini’s emergency case and found a hospital in Shenzen, South China called Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, which does eye implants," Sonko said on his Social Media posts.
“The implants are a precursor to fitting the boy with prosthetic eyes that will look and move more like normal eyes, but do not restore vision."
He also at the time issued a reward of Sh200,000 for any person who volunteered information that may led to the arrest of the key suspects in the case.
Sonko later claimed that he was blocked from helping the baby.
He has also, in his philanthropic nature, helped several other Kenyans in matters of hospital bills, and even sponsored their trips to India for further medical assessment and treatment.
In 2018, Sonko announced that he was going to help Kenya's Boxing star Conjestina Achieng through rehab and help her throughout.
True to his word, Conjestina successfully cleared her rehab sessions and Sonko helped her obtain employment.
She was first spotted in Sonko's security team and later, the politician announced Conjestina would work as the head of security at Salama Bling Beach resort in Kanamai.
"My initial plan for Conje after healing was to employ her as the Head of security operations at the international Club Volume but changed my mind after thinking through what she has gone through before on drug and substance abuse," he said.
These are not the only people Sonko has voluntarily ensured they are in good stand of his help.
The Osinya boys, Satrina and Gift have been part of Sonko's family since 2014 after the politician adopted them, following the death of their mother who was shot dead by terrorists at Joyland church in Likoni.