Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko’s political career screeched to a halt after the Supreme Court upheld his impeachment, consequently scuttling his ambitions to become the second governor of Mombasa County.
Through his political career - which spans over a decade - Sonko has been one of the most controversial figures in the Kenyan politics. From recording everyone he calls to insulting other leaders in public, Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at his controversial and dramatic political career.
Sonko first joined elective politics in 2010 when he vied for the Makadara parliamentary seat following a by-election in the constituency and he successfully floored then incumbent Member of Parliament, Dan Wathika.
Sonko would later rise up the political ladder to become Nairobi’s first Senator and second governor.
Named in Drug Barons List
Not long after becoming a Member of Parliament, Sonko was named by the Internal Security Minister, the late George Saitoti, among suspected drug barons in the country.
Sonko was named alongside former Trade Assistant Minister, Harun Mwau, and then MPs Hassan Ali Joho (Kisauni) and William Kabogo (Juja).
The list sparked debate in the National Assembly with Sonko playing down the matter and arguing that the Minister had spared some of his close friends who were the real drug traffickers.
Wears sunglasses and earrings in Parliament
Sonko left tongues wagging when he showed up in Parliament donning earrings and sunglasses. The dress code attracted the attention of then session Speaker, Farah Maalim, who ordered him out of the Chamber for violating the prescribed dress code while in the August House.
Efforts by Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua - who was then the Gichugu MP, to rescue him from being kicked out of the Chamber ended in futility as other members of Parliament agreed with the Speaker and condemned the Legislator.
Campaigning For Rival Candidate
In 2011, Sonko found himself embroiled in a tussle with Narc Kenya, the party that had sponsored him to Parliament, after he campaigned for a Party of National Unity (PNU) candidate during the Kamukunji Parliamentary by-election of 2011. Sonko campaigned for Yusuf Hassan of PNU who went on to beat Narc Kenya's Brian Weke.
This move saw him summoned by the party's disciplinary committee and eventually expelled from the party. Sonko, in retaliation, stormed Narc Kenya's offices complaining of undue procedure in expelling him and his compatriot William Kabogo.
Street Protests With Waititu
The former Nairobi governor formed a close relationship with the then Embakasi MP, Ferdinand Waititu, with whom he served in the 10th Parliament.
Sonko and Waititu often opposed government measures that were targeted at the common man in Nairobi. He branded himself the defender of the hawkers and openly opposed their eviction in various places.
This, in turn, earned him a cult-like following in Nairobi which eventually thrust him to Nairobi county top seat.
Revelations of smoking bhang with Waititu
The controversy-ridden politician also raised eyebrows in 2019 after he sensationally claimed that together with Waititu while in Parliament, they would sneak into the National Assembly's washrooms and smoke marijuana.
Sonko made the claims while appearing on the Jeff Koinange Live show.
Impeachment and dramatic hand over of functions to NMS
Sonko’s term as a governor was characterized by upheavals occasioned by the push and pull between him and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
Sonko was impeached in 2020 after the Senate ratified a motion by the MCAs to impeach him on grounds of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
His impeachment had been preceded by controversial stands including his refusal to appoint a deputy governor after the resignation of Polycarp Igathe.
Sonko had also been involved in a spat with President Uhuru Kenyatta after he ceded key functions of the county government to the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS).
