Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko confronted his son‑in‑law, accusing him of physically assaulting his daughter, Salma Mbuvi.
The drama unfolded at Salma’s home in Kitengela, where Sonko recorded the confrontation and demanded accountability.
According to Sonko, the incident began when Salma placed a distress call to her mother. In the call, she said she had been slapped twice by her husband. Sonko alleges the assailant — described as “heavy‑built” — inflicted injuries on Salma’s face and lips after she asked him to buy breakfast for their children, who were hungry.
“Why are you beating my daughter yet I’m paying for your rent, shopping and paying for your children’s school fees,” Sonko said in the video, his voice rising in anger.
The former governor did not come alone: he was accompanied by his security team, including bouncers, who intervened to restrain the husband from escalating the violence. At one point, one of the bouncers slapped the man. Sonko intervened, asking: “Let us not do anything to him in front of the children.”
In a surprising twist, Salma defended her husband during the confrontation: “Why are you slapping my husband?” she asked.
Sonko says this is not the first time Salma has been subjected to violence. He alleges that she has suffered similar physical attacks in the past. In the wake of the latest incident, he has taken her back to his home for safety.
According to Sonko, there is a plan for the husband to return to Salma’s maternal home — accompanied by his own parents — in order to “collect her properly.” This, Sonko says, would ensure that the husband understands his responsibilities and the seriousness of the assault.
Beyond his role as a protective father, Sonko’s actions bring to light a broader issue: gender-based violence (GBV). He has warned that many women suffer quietly, often because they lack access to the right support systems or fear speaking out.
Sonko pointed to the Nairobi Women’s Hospital’s Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) as a model for how society should respond to GBV.
The GVRC, a charitable trust of the Nairobi Women’s Hospital, offers free medical and psychosocial support to survivors of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
Their services include emergency medical care, counseling, legal aid, and long-term support — all provided at no cost to the survivor.
Nonetheless, Sonko insists his actions are part of a larger fight against gender-based violence. He hopes that by going public, he can encourage other women to speak out and seek help — instead of suffering in silence.