Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has broken his silence following a distressing incident in which his daughter allegedly suffered domestic violence at the hands of her husband.
In a statement released on Monday, November 17, the former county boss revealed that he received a distress call from his daughter that left him and his family deeply shaken, prompting him to take immediate action to protect her.
"Today, we received a distress call from our daughter that shook us to the core; her voice trembling, her spirit broken. As a parent, nothing prepares you for the moment your child reaches out in fear, in pain, or in desperation. I acted immediately, because no mother or father can sit still when their child is hurting," Sonko stated.
According to a video and recorded phone conversation that circulated on social media, Sonko's daughter explained that her husband had physically assaulted her after simply asking what she should prepare for their children's breakfast.
In the emotional phone call, the daughter can be heard pleading with her mother to come and pick her up, explaining that when she inquired about breakfast, her husband responded by slapping her twice instead of providing an answer or assistance.
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The incident has left the former governor visibly disturbed, with Sonko confronting his son-in-law directly over the assault.
"The guy slapped my daughter. Why would you beat your wife? Why not come to us as parents if you are having issues?" Sonko questioned in the video.
He issued a stern warning to his son-in-law, making it clear that further violence would not be tolerated.
"If you ever touch my daughter again, I will deal with you. I'm leaving with my daughter. If you think about your wife, or if you think you deserve a wife, you will come home with your parents," Sonko declared.
The incident has prompted Sonko to reflect on the broader issue of domestic violence affecting young couples across Kenya, particularly those who suffer in silence without anyone to defend them.
"It made me ask myself, if my own daughter can face harassment in her own home, what about the countless young women and men in Kenya who suffer silently, with no one to defend them," he posed.
The former governor acknowledged that while marriage is not always easy, violence should never be an option when couples face challenges.
"Marriage is never a smooth road. It is built through storms and sunshine, through patience, forgiveness, and understanding. But when challenges turn into violence, when love turns into fear, then the very foundation of that marriage is shaken. No one deserves that," Sonko stated.
Using his personal experience as a cautionary tale, Sonko has issued a heartfelt plea to young couples across the country to choose peaceful resolution over violence when faced with marital difficulties.
"My heartfelt plea to young couples is this: please, choose peace. Choose dialogue before anger. Choose to pause, breathe, and talk rather than hurt the person you vowed to protect. Violence doesn't solve anything; it only destroys the heart, the home, and the future," he urged.
The former governor emphasized the importance of creating safe homes where love thrives and conflicts are resolved through conversation rather than physical harm.
