- Mike Sonko visited an Utawala woman who was reportedly severely assaulted by her cousin, the son of a former senior government official
- In a video from her hospital bed, she narrated how the ordeal unfolded just a few minutes after the implicated relative called her to his parents’ residence in Karen
- The former governor explained the reasons why he would support the woman in her fight for justice despite the family’s contrary opinion
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features in digital and print media.
Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has once again drawn public attention to the growing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV) after sharing details of a fresh assault case involving the son of a former senior government official.
Source: Facebook
The victim, whose identity Sonko withheld for privacy reasons, reached out to him after he recently confronted his own son-in-law for allegedly slapping his daughter, Salma Mbuvi.
Salma was reportedly assaulted during a domestic dispute when she demanded breakfast from her husband for their children.
Speaking on the matter, Sonko said that since he opened up about his daughter’s ordeal, many survivors came forward with their harrowing experiences.
“Since speaking about my daughter’s experience, countless people have reached out to me with their own heartbreaking stories. Some have even lost loved ones to this monster called GBV,” he noted.
Sonko revealed that he personally visited the Utawala victim, who is currently admitted at Nairobi Hospital with severe facial injuries.
How was the Utawala woman assaulted?
According to her account, she had gone to Karen to meet her cousin at his parents’ home, only for a misunderstanding to escalate into violence.
She narrated that after a disagreement over family matters, the cousin began pushing her, wiping off her makeup, and physically assaulting her.
“We were just supposed to hang out because he married last month. We were just there relaxing and after a few minutes, we had a misunderstanding about family matters because we were drunk. All of a sudden, he started pushing me around, wiped my makeup, and beat me up,” she recalled.
The victim said she attempted to flee but was pursued, ‘grabbed from behind, pushed to the ground, and beaten repeatedly’ before managing to escape.
“Everywhere was closed, and I did not know what to do… A cab brought me here at around 3am. I filed a report, but nothing has come of it,” she lamented.
Source: Facebook
She further disclosed that this was not the first time she had been assaulted by the cousin.
“He is a very violent person. He assaulted me in 2021 too,” she added.
Why will Sonko help Utawala woman?
Sonko alleged that the victim’s mother discouraged her from pursuing justice, insisting the matter should remain a family issue.
Despite this, the woman expressed her determination to seek accountability, prompting Sonko to pledge support and call on the Witness Protection Agency to intervene immediately.
The former governor condemned the silence surrounding GBV cases, stressing that many victims suffer alone due to fear, shame, or lack of support.
“Her pain, her fear, her loneliness… it hurt my heart. I promised her that I will follow up on her case, and I intend to keep that promise with everything in me. I will not be silent. I will continue to speak, fight, and advocate because no one—and I repeat, no one—deserves to suffer in silence until this monster called GBV is defeated. My voice will not rest,” he vowed.
Read also
Salma Mbuvi’s family breaks silence after alleged assault incident: “Unequivocally condemn”
Mosiria praises Sonko after rescuing daughter from abusive husband
Elsewhere, Nairobi chief environment officer Geoffrey Mosiria shared a distressing photo of a woman who had allegedly been assaulted by her boyfriend.
Mosiria strongly condemned the incident and emphasised that relationships and marriages should be safe and sacred spaces rather than places of violence.
He stressed that women deserve love, dignity, and protection, not abuse or mistreatment. Mosiria also referenced the recent case involving Sonko’s daughter.
Mosiria praised Sonko for handling the case involving his daughter responsibly by protecting his daughter and grandchildren while awaiting proper resolution.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
