Governor Sonko ventures into online 'Biashara'

Piece by: Queen Serem
Lifestyle

Governor Mike Sonko has unveiled his own website that will help document and serve as a major platform for detailed analysis of his initiatives and plans as a leader.

The website, www.mike-sonko.co.ke, was unveiled on Saturday and already has captivating stories about his tenure as an MP, Senator and his three years in office as a Governor for Nairobi County.

Sonko is among the top five most followed leaders on social media, with NASA leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto the only people ahead of him on Facebook.

Sonko also prides himself as having one of the fastest growing YouTube channels that captures key events at Nairobi's City Hall and his general events.

All the platforms are run and managed by his communication team but the governor enjoys the freedom to post and share whatever he feels is worth for his support base and Kenyans in general.

In the website, stories of his Covid-19 mitigation activities have been highlighted, including food distribution to vulnerable groups, fumigation of City estates and other related activities by the county's health department.

The governor says he values and recognises the impact of digital media and has encouraged more influential people to open up news platforms to help make access to information easy and cheap.

"We are in a digital world where we have to adjust to the changing trends in society and the world over," Sonko said.

Sonko's website will detail all national and county government initiatives touching on job creation, youth matters and President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four agenda.

According to Sonko's Director of Communication Elkana Jacob, the communication team's main agenda is to keep Nairobians and Kenyans more informed and inspired.

"Information is key but in life, we also need inspiration to help us overcome the troubles we face," Jacob said.

It is not surprising that the governor has made it a habit of sharing inspirational messages on his Facebook and Twitter accounts, something he says is largely inspired by his success story from a humble background.

"Life teaches a lot and l will always use my life story to convince the young people that nothing is impossible in life," Sonko explained.

The governor has over 60 young men and women employed to do his social media work, with 15 more set to be hired to help run the news site.

Sonko has also challenged Kenyan media houses to embrace technology and diversity to conform with changing trends in the media industry instead of firing their staff.

"It's unfortunate that some of the best in the industry are losing jobs but l think the solution is for us to adjust to new trends and find a way of accommodating everyone," he added

In April, the governor hit global headlines when he offered to include Free Hennessy drinks as throat sanitisers in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Usitumie viagra,’ Governor Sonko advises lazy Kenyan men

Trevor Noah, a South African TV host and political commentator, made fun of the governor's post that had made headlines on leading international media houses like CNN and BBC.

Renowned CNN news anchor Richard Quest has also made an online post in praise of the governor for his efforts in beautification of Nairobi