In a dramatic fall from grace, the colourful former governor of Kenya's capital, Nairobi, is now facing numerous criminal charges including money-laundering and terrorism. So who is Mike Sonko and how did he rise to become one of Kenya's most high-profile politicians? Known for his glitzy lifestyle, flashy clothes and expensive jewellery, Gidion Mbuvi Kioko earned the nickname Sonko - Swahili slang for a rich person - after publicly distributing cash to his supporters in Nairobi's slums. At the age of 35 he became an MP in 2010, rising to senator three years later before Mr Sonko was finally voted in as Nairobi's governor in 2017. Mr Sonko also faces numerous charges in the courts, including several corruption cases, assault and terrorism-linked offences.

Source: The Star March 28, 2021 13:21 UTC