Did Sonko and Millie violate Constitution with online exchange?

The altercation between Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and Suba MP Millie Odhiambo on social media was uncalled for. The spat was precipitated by utterances made by Mike Sonko during Kibra MP Ken Okoth’s funeral service where he laid bare the deceased’s marital secrets. That did not sit well with the Suba MP and other leaders who regarded Sonko’s revelation insensitive to the grieving family, especially the widow.

Millie’s response triggered a war of words which saw the two trade obscenities. Many leaders criticised Sonko’s utterances. One therefore wonders why he picked on Millie, a woman. On her part, the MP would have done herself a huge favour had she chosen to ignore subsequent salvos from Sonko who appeared to dabble on familiar ground. The conduct of the two leaders betrayed Chapter Six of the Constitution, which demands that leaders uphold high levels of integrity at all times.

One wonders whether these are the same leaders who took oath of office and swore to obey, respect, uphold, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Article 75 of the Constitution outlines the conduct of State officers, and states that a State officer shall behave, whether in public and official life, private life, or in association with other persons, in a manner that avoids demeaning the office they hold.

If our leaders whom Kenyans have entrusted with serious county and national offices behave in this manner, what are we to expect of ordinary Kenyans?

Ms Otieno is a communication and linguistics student at the University of Nairobi