In 2006, little known Gideon Mbuvi Kioko, better known as Mike Sonko, took the Ministry of Transport then under the late John Michuki to court over the famous 'Michuki rules'.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, then the owner of eight No. 58 matatus plying the Buru Buru Phase V, IV and III estates’ route, went to court over a directive from Michuki that had barred matatus from entering Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD).
Only City Hoppa buses, which the Minister was linked to, were allowed in the city.
Sonko, whose matatu operation employed more than 50 youth, took the Government to court over that specific edict of the 'Michuki Rules' that had been in place since 2003.
“It pained me. We paid the same licences and insurance yet some vehicles were allowed to proceed to town. I rejected that,” Sonko stated on taking legal action against the state.
Sonko lamented that commuters and school-going children were experiencing difficulties getting to their destinations as they were getting up at 5 am to catch matatus only to be dropped at Muthurwa Market.
[caption caption="Former Governor Evans Kidero hands over to Mike Sonko at Uhuru Park during his inauguration"]
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Following a bruising court battle, the High Court ruled in Sonko's favour, declaring that without official publication in the Kenya Gazette, the rules were to be considered personal declarations from Michuki.
Sonko's matatus, which had names such as Ferrari, Brown Sugar, Lakers, Rough Cuts and Convict were allowed back in the CBD along with others.
It was only after the case that the Government formally gazetted the rules.
Following his win in court, Sonko's popularity grew and his meteoric rise began as he was elected Chairman of the Eastlands Matatu Operators Association, putting him in charge of over 8000 matatus.
He went on to become Makadara MP, Nairobi Senator and now, Governor of Nairobi.
[caption caption="A matatu branded with Sonko's image"]
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