Barely an hour after Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, in his nature, opened a can of worms at Kibra MP Ken Okoth’s memorial service, netizens were up in arms to give a piece of their mind. This has ended up making Kenya’s top trend ‘Anita’, after Sonko revealed the fallen MP’s unknown life.
During his speech, Sonko made an unprecedented, but clearly calculated step to announce that the late Ken Okoth had a child with a woman other than the one he had publicly declared his wife.
The ‘other woman’, known as Anita as Sonko unveiled, was a nurse under his ‘Sonko Rescue Team’ when Okoth met her. The governor further extended his “respect” for MP Okoth by nominating Anita to the county assembly.
Ken will not forgive me if I don't save the situation. Ken fell in love with a nurse called Anita from Sonko rescue team. In 2017, he asked me to help him nominate his second wife to the county assembly and out of respect I did nominate her – Sonko at Ken Okoth's memorial service pic.twitter.com/5GWM0UEYrd
— Daily Nation (@dailynation) August 1, 2019
This spurred mixed reactions by Kenyans on Twitter, some who thought the governor was not entirely sober when he made the speech.
Sonko before Ken Okoth's memorial servicepic.twitter.com/k3SRcZPE0x
— Adam Maina ™ (@AdamMaina_) August 1, 2019
Bangi ni mbaya. Kuleni matawi muache mbegu tafadhali….
— josefi (@MuliJoemuli2007) August 1, 2019
On the other hand, others lauded Sonko as a good friend, adding that “It is hypocrisy for an African man have one wife.”
Be a friend like sonko. Nobody should deny your kids the right to be what they already are. Your kids.
Brutal honesty.
It is hypocrisy for an african man have one wife pic.twitter.com/BLqsOTQBIp— kipruto Cheruiyot⚕️🇰🇪 (@Morgancheruiyot) August 1, 2019
Is it only me finding @MikeSonko quite relevant and objective lately.
Viva Sonko— Derrick Omondi (@iamderickomondi) August 1, 2019
Anita too made it to the top trends with all kinds of sentiments towards her.
Anita right now after sonko remarks in ken okoth memorial service pic.twitter.com/Yk8ZdXZEjB
— Kennedy (@mchelsea_madrid) August 1, 2019
Lakini huyu Anita Thumbi ni mrembo. Ken Okoth respected and loved her. At least Sonko recognized her and the baby #RIPKenOkoth #KenOkoth #KenOkothMemorial pic.twitter.com/pDZnRsZ30O
— Willy G (@WilsonWaGitau) August 1, 2019
I was very disturbed why such a brilliant genes of Okoth could have gone that way but boom Anita was there as the saviour! And Ken had taste!had to say😂😂. Sonko THE GENERAL HIMSELF! tunasema asante. #RIPHonKenOkoth pic.twitter.com/MTrL10bCDk
— KE Turbo Future (@Eagle_Watch_) August 1, 2019