Former Nairobi governor, Mike Mbuvi Sonko, has termed as blackmail a child support case filed against him at the Ngong Law court in Kajiado county by a lady who is demanding Ksh448,450 monthly upkeep.
In a statement on Monday, May 23, the Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant stated he would not fall into the trap, noting that he was willing to personally raise the kid even if she was not his.
Sonko explained that he had adopted many children and he would have no problem adopting the one in question too.
"Which trouble are people speaking about? Just like Jesus said, 'let children come to me', I am kindly asking the lady alleging that she has my 15 years old kid to bring the kid to me.
"My family keeps on growing bigger day in and day out, I feel happy and blessed adopting orphans, street families, and neglected kids in my home. Even if the baby is not mine, just bring her to me and I will take good care of her," he stated.
However, he insisted that he will not send any money to the woman adding that she will use it for her own personal benefit.
"That part of the money which will be used for partying is where I will not agree with her. I will not give even a cent," he stated.
In the case, the 15-year-old's mother alleged that Sonko had neglected them demanding that he be compelled to cater to the basic needs of his alleged daughter to a tune of Ksh448,500.
She added that the former governor once made payments of Ksh100,000 for the child's schooling but defaulted in making payments afterward.
“Mr Sonko has always been defiant and brazen to accept responsibility and assist me with the maintenance of the minor. He has over the years willfully withdrawn support towards the maintenance of the minor thus denying her what is rightfully hers and forcing me to take full responsibility for the minor,” she stated in court documents.
She added that her daughter had been teased in school over her name, further citing the preferential treatment of other children by the gubernatorial hopeful.
"The unequal treatment has affected the minor psychologically as she does not understand why her father is abrasive towards her. Besides, the minor has been bullied and ridiculed in school because of her surname thus causing her emotional trauma, and has indicated she wants to be transferred from the school,” she stated.
