Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has intensified his advocacy against gender-based violence (GBV), urging families to choose safety over harmful marriages.
In a message shared on his X account, Sonko said it is better for families to have “a divorce decree in the house than an eulogy booklet for your daughter or son.”
He stressed that the fight against GBV must continue until women of all ages feel empowered to stand firmly against abuse.
Sonko, who has been vocal on the issue following a distressing incident involving one of his daughters, revealed that many victims have reached out to him since he went public with her experience.
Among the cases reported to him is that of Mumbi Kanyaga, a young woman whose body is currently lying at the Kabati Montezuma mortuary.
According to Sonko, her death resulted from domestic violence, further highlighting the growing crisis affecting Kenyan households.
The former governor recently stirred national attention after narrating the emotional moment he received a call from his daughter claiming she felt unsafe in her own home.
He described the fear in her voice as deeply unsettling, the kind of fear no parent is ever prepared to hear. Sonko said he acted immediately, driven by instinct and a father’s need to protect his child.
He later reflected on the broader issue, questioning how many Kenyans silently endure emotional, physical, or psychological abuse without support.
He challenged society to confront GBV more openly, noting that many sons, daughters, and spouses suffer behind closed doors with no one to intervene.
