Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has celebrated the graduation of his adopted son, Gift Osinya, who completed his university studies in Information Technology, 11 years after the family came into the national spotlight following the 2014 Likoni church attack.
Photos shared by Sonko on his social media accounts on Thursday showed Osinya in full graduation regalia, posing alongside the former governor during a ceremony attended by family and friends. Osinya graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, a milestone that closes a major chapter in a story closely followed by the public for over a decade.
Gift Osinya and his younger brother Satrin became widely known in March 2014 after gunmen attacked Joy in Jesus Church in Likoni, Mombasa. The attack claimed the life of their mother and left baby Satrin critically injured, with a bullet lodged in his head.
Following national appeals for assistance, Sonko stepped forward, financing Satrin’s medical treatment and later formally adopting both boys. Since then, Sonko has supported their education and upkeep, consistently sharing their academic progress and personal milestones with the public.
Osinya’s schooling under Sonko’s guardianship has been well-documented. After completing his primary education, he joined Lenana School, where he sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). He later enrolled in university to pursue a degree in Information Technology.
In his congratulatory message, Sonko praised Osinya’s commitment to his studies and described the moment as a significant family achievement. He also reflected on the boys’ journey since 2014, noting how far they had come since the tragedy that thrust them into the public eye.
“Congratulations to my son Gift on graduating with his IT degree. We thank God for bringing him this far,” Sonko wrote, accompanying the message with a series of photos from the ceremony. The images showed Sonko embracing the graduate, posing with family members, and celebrating the moment.
Osinya’s graduation carries national interest largely because of the historical context surrounding the family. The Likoni attack remains one of the most widely reported terror incidents of the past decade, and the Osinya brothers’ survival became a symbol of resilience for many Kenyans.
Sonko’s adoption of the boys drew significant public attention at the time, with the former governor pledging long-term support for their education, healthcare, and general welfare. Over the years, he has periodically provided updates on their progress, including school transitions, birthdays, examinations, and medical follow-ups.
The graduation now stands as one of the most notable updates in that timeline.
With a degree in Information Technology, Osinya enters a field with strong demand in Kenya, as government agencies, private companies, and start-ups continue to expand their digital infrastructure. Fields such as software development, cybersecurity, systems administration, and data services are among those offering opportunities for graduates with IT qualifications.