Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has refuted claims that he was allegedly evicted from his Runda home two weeks ago for non-payment of rent.
According to our sources, the politician known for generous handouts and living flashy lifestyle had allegedly accrued rent arrears of Sh15.8 million. It is alleged that after a meeting with the landlord, he amicably agreed to vacate the house and move to a different house within Runda.
His landlord, however, refused to speak on record, saying he was a businessman
But when reached for comment, Sonko admitted he was a tenant in Runda before he bought the house.
“It is normal to start from somewhere. It is the way of life. You can’t be born with a house in Runda. I rented it, and then bought it through the parliamentary mortgage scheme. Right now, it is fully paid for and it is in my name. I paid the last instalment for the house through a cheque a few days ago, through Diamond Trust Bank. I wrote a cheque for Sh10 million and it is allowed because my branch is in Capital Centre, and the seller’s branch is in town near Trattoria.”
He added: “Let anybody with evidence who claims I rented it come forward and show it to the public. There are people attacking me with such lies to taint my image. I know I am being fought because some people are afraid of the work I am doing for Nairobi County residents.”
The flashy senator shared videos with The Nairobian of him signing the sale agreement to the said house. He also shared a picture of a Sh10 million cheque which he says cleared the outstanding balance on the house.
Sonko claims his family was away from the Runda home during the school holidays and this may have prompted his ‘enemies’ to think he had been evicted.
But one of his sidekicks says the Nairobi Senator may be having cash flow problems because of the numerous projects he has started.
“The problem with Sonko is that he spends so much money on others, leaving nothing for himself. He would have afforded to have bought his own house if he wasn’t spending money helping people. He is having a problem sustaining all the projects he is doing for Nairobi residents.
The aide adds: “He pays medical bills, school fees, and then there is the Sonko Rescue Team that consumes almost Sh4 million every month. His income is from his clubs, matatus, and land transactions.”
Asked about his source of income which for long has been the subject of speculation, Sonko maintains he is an honest businessman.
“For instance, the owners of Blue Marlin Hotel wanted to sell it, and they asked for four million euros. I found a buyer for six million euros. Isn’t that business? Isn’t that a legal transaction? Yet others who are jealous say I am a drug dealer. I don’t deal in drugs,” he insisted..
Sonko adds that out of the cash he will make from the sale of the hotel, Sh100 million will go into financing the Sonko Rescue Team and the rest will go to his family.
