What worries Mike Sonko to have guns around him?

It wasn’t until I read Senator Mike Sonko’s rebuttal of rumours doing the rounds on social media that I recalled the day he paraded his wealth and brazen force on the streets of Nairobi; Custom-made cars, armed bouncers and gold rings. Facebook had been abuzz with speculation that the good Senator had gone bonkers and his direct line to the president, which he uses to impress, had been blocked. Of course, I don’t believe everything I read on social media, but I must admit, some of it is informative.

Sonko is an enigma, the type of fellow you cannot really figure out. He reflects that ‘good guy’ ambience and is very generous. I have had occasion to watch Sonko for a while, starting with when he declared he had more than 200 bank accounts to the time, as an MP, he went to Parliament inappropriately dressed and got his matching orders from an austere Speaker.

 I went on to witness him punch some wall somewhere, harming his fist in the process and as if that was not enough, he was quite content prostrating on the road, attempting to throw himself on a bonfire; all in a day’s work to prove he was more of the common man’s friend than the establishments. Some people love his theatrics but as a leader, I believe he must observe some decorum, however detestable it is to him.

On the material day that I saw Senator Mike Sonko with mean looking armed bodyguards around him, two things occurred to me simultaneously.

First, I wondered what he was petrified of to have so many guns. Secondly, names of several characters I had previously read about came to mind; authors James Hardley Chase, Mario Puzo and gangster Al Capone. What about them? Well, you see, I joined secondary school when reading books by James Hardley Chase was in vogue.

Those of you who had the privilege of reading the fast paced thrillers must admit Sonko conjures up images of the main characters in most of James Hardley Chase books; flashy cars, money, suits and guns.

A little later as the love for reading thrillers grew, I came across a novel by Mario Puzo titled; ‘The Godfather’. Though the story is centered on the Mafioso rivalry in New York and their shady deals at the time, the characters also carried armed bodyguards wherever they went and used flashy custom made cars. Just like our Senator’s largesse, the main character in The Godfather, Don Corleone, was a family man, generous and reasonable. What distinguishes him from Sonko was his ruthlessness.

Al Capone, on the other hand, was a real life character with rags to riches story. Born of poor parents, Al Capone became one of New York’s multi-billionaires. Besides his known violent criminal activities, he made money from running prostitution rings, gambling and bootlegging (selling of illegal liquor). He too, led a flamboyant lifestyle. In 1931, he had to cool his heels behind bars for tax evasion, not crime; that is how clever and meticulous he was.

It is easy to wonder how Sonko made the millions he so cheerfully and nonchalantly dishes out to the needy wherever he passes. A controversial character, you might have heard of the rumours that landed him in jail at one time, but he remains a puzzle to many. One thing is for sure; the man, as far as I know, though he acts weirdly at times, he is a humble enough man, even caring.

Sonko does not need reminding from anybody that he is a national leader and society expects him to conform to a certain set standard required of leaders. His loud mannerism is unbecoming of a leader of his calibre who, even in the African tradition, must appear regal and reserved to draw the respect of his people. Is adherence to the constitutional provision on leadership and integrity such a painful thing for the Senator and his ilk in leadership positions?

Related Topics

Mike Sonko Gun