This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko delivered a surprise eulogy at the memorial service of Kibra MP Ken Okoth, revealing that the late MP had a second family.
According to Sonko, Okoth had confided in him that Anne Thumbi, a nurse, was his second wife, and he had asked him to nominate her as an MCA in the 2017 general elections, which he did.
Sonko also claimed that Okoth had a son with Thumbi, and that he had been excluded from the funeral arrangements by Okoth's first family.
He said, 'I would like to confirm rumours appearing in the press and on social media that Ken had a second wife,' amid cheers from the mourners.
He continued, 'In 2013, the late Ken invited Sonko Rescue Team to run a medical camp in his constituency and in the team there happened to have been a pretty nurse known as Ann Thumbi with whom they later sired a son.'
Sonko's revelation sparked controversy, with some questioning the timing and motives behind his statement.
He also used the opportunity to ask Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Starehe MP Charles 'Jaguar' Njagua to keep alive Okoth's efforts to legalise marijuana through an act of parliament.
He said, 'Honourable Babu Owino and the young MPs who are here, like John Kiarie and Jaguar do not let Ken Okoth's good work go to waste. Take from where he left and make sure that bhang is legalised.'
He also announced plans to lobby President Kenyatta to import high-grade marijuana to Kenya.
