GEOFFREY MBUTHIA ENTERTAINMENT SUB-EDITOR

28 July 2022

• The woman had asked for close to Sh450k for child maintenance from Mike Sonko.

• She has now retracted her earlier claims that the former Nairobi Governor was a deadbeat father.

The child maintenance lawsuit against former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been dropped. The woman explained that she had dropped the case because she had been paid Sh1 million to tarnish Sonko's reputation.

“That I have since searched my soul on the matter, considered the suit against the defendant and I now wish to unconditionally withdraw both the Chamber Summons Application and Suit both dated the 12th of May 2022 and further wish to extend my unreserved apologies to the Plaintiff herein and to this Honourable Court,” she said.

In May 2022, a woman had taken the former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to court over accusations of neglecting their 15-year-old daughter.

In the court papers, the woman claimed that Sonko has refused to take his parental responsibility and now wants the court to intervene.

“The applicant and the respondent are the biological parents of the minor. The defendant has refused and or neglected to provide for the minor with adequate and or basic necessities such as education, good health food, clothing, shelter, entertainment, and medication,” read in part court papers dated May 12..

The case has been filed at the magistrate court in Ngong, Kajiado county. The woman wanted that Sonko be compelled to pay monthly upkeep of Sh448,450.

The break-down of the money was; Sh50,000 for food and shopping, 45,000 for rent, 30,000 for security, 20,000 for clothing, 20,000 for a househelp, Sh20,000 medical cover, Sh4000 minor’s salon expenses, Sh5000 for DStv, Sh50,000 for minors school debit card, Sh5000 for gas among others.

Sonko responded coolly and calmly to the case, telling the woman to bring the child to him so he could give her the best in life.

"Which trouble I'm in now? Just like Jesus said, 'Let children come to me...' Am kindly asking the lady alleging that she has my 15 years old kid to bring the kid to me. I’ll give the kid the best of what life has to offer. My family keeps on growing bigger day in and day out, I feel happy and blessed adopting orphans, street families, and neglected kids in my home."

Sonko also added that even if the said 15-year-old wasn't his, he was willing to take up the responsibility.

"Even if the child is not mine she can still bring him to me I'll take care of him. In case there is any other woman who can't take care of their children, let them bring them over to me I'll look after them. It’s hard but fun being Mike Sonko," he said.