Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has received a prestigious national award for his humanitarian efforts through his initiative, the Sonko Rescue Team (SRT).
The newly registered non-governmental organization (NGO) has been named the Best NGO in Kenya by the NGO Coordination Board.
The board's Chief Executive Officer Fazul Mahamed, while presenting the award, stated that the board awards the recognition to one local NGO and an international NGO annually.
"Sonko Rescue Team is one of the NGOs we have highlighted that is doing good work. It has done a lot of humanitarian interventions in the county of Nairobi, from the water sector, sanitation, health and emergency response," the CEO explained.
Mr Mahamed took a jab at the County Government of Nairobi for its repeated efforts to shut down the NGO as well as at National Super Alliance (NASA) principal Kalonzo Musyoka for his recent tussle with the board over his charity, the Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation.
"The County Government of Nairobi has requested me to shut down the SRT a number of times, I suspect for political reasons but if an NGO is doing good we are going to appreciate and reward.
Read More: Officers Sent to Arrest Sonko Rescue Team
"Na kama ni NGO inatumia pesa za wananchi tutafunga, na si mmeona tumefunga kadhaa? (If an NGO is embezzling public funds we will close it down, you have seen us close some down, haven't you?)," Mr Mahamed alluded.
The award came with a Certificate of Recognition for Sonko NGO's efforts in empowering women through sustainable socio-economic activities as well as a trophy for exemplary work in humanitarian efforts.
The CEO also promised that the NGO Board would link Sonko Rescue Team with donors as well as technical support.
Senator Sonko was presented with the award during a 'Team Nairobi' meeting, on Thursday, that was attended by various Nairobi politicians among them Sonko's running-mate Polycarp Igathe, Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh and Senator hopeful Johnson Sakaja.
Here is a video of the award ceremony.
