This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Kenya, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has found himself at the center of a public spat with Interior PS Karanja Kibicho. The latest development in this saga is the vandalism of Sonko's automated sanitization booths, which have been erected across the city to help combat the spread of the disease.
According to Sonko, the booths were brought down on the instructions of PS Kibicho. Sonko has been distributing relief food, fumigating streets and estates, and installing the sanitization booths since the start of the pandemic through his organization, Sonko Rescue Team (SRT).
“I am saddened by the vandalism that occurred earlier today supervised by the Kibra Deputy County Commissioner allegedly with instructions from the Nairobi Regional Coordinator who also confirmed the removal of the new public sanitization booth installed at the Kibra DCC’s offices,” Sonko said.
Sonko has placed the blame on competitors who he alleges had placed bids to supply the state with the booths at inflated prices. He claims that his organization, SRT, is installing the booths for free in all public places, which has not gone down well with the cartels.
“Cartels who wanted to supply public sanitation booths at an exaggerated cost to the Government are not happy with SonkoRescueTeam which is an NGO and is installing the same FOR FREE in all public places hence the vandalism order by Nairobi Regional Coordinator,” Sonko points out.
Despite the vandalism, Sonko remains committed to his philanthropic efforts and has vowed to continue providing relief to the people of Nairobi. He has also cursed those he perceives to be behind his troubles, including PS Kibicho and Nairobi Regional Coordinator Wilson Njega.
“May the Lord punish all the senior gov’t officers at the O.P who gave instructions for the Kibra, Kencom and Buruburu sanitization booths erected by SonkoRescueTeam to be vandalised by Police,” Sonko is quoted as saying.
Published on April 22, 2020
