Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has sparked a nationwide conversation after a dramatic video surfaced this week showing him storming his daughter’s home to rescue her from an allegedly violent spouse.
The emotional clip, which went viral across social media, showed Sonko acting swiftly after receiving a distress call — a moment many Kenyans praised as the ultimate display of a father’s love, courage, and protection.
Behind the flamboyant fashion and public bravado, Sonko’s actions revealed a parent responding to a terrifying situation unfolding behind closed doors. His daughter, who had allegedly endured abuse, was eventually taken back home safely.
With emotions still raw and relief that his daughter survived the ordeal, Sonko is now urging other parents to stay alert, listen, and protect their children long before harm turns irreversible.
Sonko’s Lesson to Parents: “Let Them Come Home Alive”
Amid rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in Kenya, Sonko appealed to parents to teach their children — both sons and daughters — that it is never shameful to leave an abusive relationship.
According to the former governor, choosing to walk away and return home is far better than remaining in a situation that could end in tragedy.
In one of his posts, Sonko shared a heartfelt message:
“Dear fellow parents, teach your sons and daughters that coming home after a failed relationship is better than coming home in a coffin.”
He emphasized that a broken heart can heal, but a life lost to violence cannot be restored.
A National Debate on Abuse Behind Closed Doors
Sonko’s intervention has highlighted the silent suffering many victims endure in private. His daughter’s rescue, witnessed by millions online, exposed how abuse often remains hidden until it escalates into life-threatening situations.
The incident has encouraged many Kenyans to speak publicly about their own experiences, fueling fresh discussions about GBV across digital platforms.
His prompt response ensured his daughter and her children returned safely to her parents’ home — a moment many applauded as both brave and necessary.
Sonko’s Message to the Nation: Choose Safety Over Silence
Sonko has continued sharing advice with Kenyans, urging families to prioritize safety and peaceful conflict resolution in relationships. In another one of his statements, he wrote:
“Instead of having an abusive relationship or marriage, it is better kuwa na divorce decree kwa nyumba than a eulogy booklet for your daughter or son. This educative process must continue until all our mothers, old or young, stand firmly against GBV.”
He also reflected on his own marriage with Primrose Mbuvi, using his experience to advocate for non-violent ways of resolving disputes. Sonko made it clear that violence — in any form — should never be an option between partners.