This archive report was first published on 20 October 2019.
On August 8, 2017, Nairobi residents went to the polls to elect their next governor. Among the candidates was Mike Sonko, who would later become the governor of Nairobi. However, Sonko's tenure has been marred by controversy, including a recent incident where he used vulgar language to insult a Facebook follower.
According to a video uploaded by Sonko on his Facebook page, he suggested that his competitors Miguna Miguna, Peter Kenneth, and Evans Kidero spoke crisp English during a gubernatorial debate on KTN News, but failed to convince Nairobi residents to vote for them.
Implying that during the debate, they addressed Kenyans in incorrect English, but when it came to receiving support from Nairobi voters, they flopped spectacularly, Sonko posted: "Kizungu ilikuwa mingi mingiiiii! But kwa ground vitu zilikuwa different, na zitaendelea kuwa different."
However, Sonko's comment was met with harsh criticism from Kenyans online, with many accusing him of using vulgar language. A user by the name Georgio Di Martino echoed Miguna's remarks, saying: "Miguna is very right, very right in deed. He talks everything that you are."
Sonko angrily hit back using seemingly vulgar language, saying: "Georgio Di Martino, niliiba kuuuum ya mmmmmmmkoo…" However, Sonko later defended his comment, claiming that he did not mention anyone's mother.
"Jameni nimetaja mamake wapi. Nadhani haujui kiswahili sanifu," he said.
