A section of Coast youth and women leaders has mounted a spirited defence of former Nairobi Governor and National Economic Development Party (NEDP) leader Mike Sonko, dismissing criticism over his recent assistance to a family in Kwale County and describing the backlash as an unfair attack on one of the country’s most visible philanthropists.
Addressing journalists in Mombasa on Thursday, the leaders urged Kenyans to celebrate rather than condemn individuals who use their personal resources and influence to uplift vulnerable families facing hardship.
The leaders were reacting to comments made by a parent from Kwale who questioned Sonko’s decision to publicize support extended to the family’s daughter, arguing that acts of charity should remain private.
However, the Coast leaders maintained that the focus should be on the positive impact of the assistance rather than the manner in which it was communicated to the public.
Led by Evans Momanyi, Joseph Onamu and Faith Munaa, the group said attempts to turn a humanitarian intervention into a public controversy risk discouraging well-wishers from helping needy Kenyans.
“We are deeply concerned by the sustained and coordinated attempts by certain individuals and vested interests to undermine the reputation, credibility and public standing of Mike Sonko,” said Momanyi.
“It is unfortunate that when a leader steps forward to help a struggling family, some people choose to focus on politics and publicity instead of the lives being transformed through that support.”
The leaders noted that Sonko has built a reputation over the years for assisting vulnerable families, sponsoring education for needy students, supporting patients unable to afford treatment and responding to emergencies affecting ordinary Kenyans.
According to the group, judging his motives based on a single incident ignores a long history of charitable work that has touched thousands of lives across the country.
“Mike Sonko’s record of helping vulnerable members of society is well documented. His interventions have restored hope to many families at their lowest moments. It would be unfair to allow one isolated criticism to overshadow years of humanitarian service,” the leaders said.
They described Sonko as a political figure whose influence extends beyond elective office, noting that even after leaving public service he has remained actively involved in social and community welfare initiatives.
The leaders further cautioned against what they termed as a growing culture of online condemnation and character assassination, where public figures are quickly judged without consideration of the broader context.
They argued that while accountability remains important, criticism should be grounded in facts and fairness rather than speculation and political bias.
“As Coast youth leaders, we reaffirm our commitment to justice, truth and fairness. We reject attempts to unfairly demonize individuals through coordinated smear campaigns and call for a balanced national conversation based on facts rather than emotions,” the statement read.
The leaders also challenged Kenyans to reflect on the larger issue of social responsibility, saying those with the ability to help should be encouraged rather than discouraged.
Adding her voice to the debate, veteran community leader Mama Margaret Omuga, popularly known as Mama Ambasa, said she had known the Sonko family for decades and could personally attest to the former governor’s generosity long before he joined politics.
“I knew Mike Sonko before he became a politician and before many people knew his name. He grew up here at the Coast and helping people has always been part of who he is,” she said.
Mama Ambasa said Sonko’s support for the Kwale family should be viewed as a humanitarian gesture rather than a political undertaking.
“Sonko has no political interest in Kwale or Msambweni. He simply responded to a family that needed help. We should appreciate such acts instead of creating unnecessary controversy around them,” she said.
She further argued that Sonko’s popularity and influence continue to make him a target for critics seeking to diminish his public standing.
Her sentiments were echoed by Mzee Nassoro Mwabundu and Albert Ochieng, who urged Kenyans to separate genuine acts of goodwill from political narratives.
The leaders maintained that the true measure of leadership lies not in titles or positions held, but in one’s willingness to stand with ordinary citizens during their moments of need.
The defence of Sonko comes amid a heated public debate sparked by his support for the Kwale family. While critics argue that charitable acts should be conducted quietly, his supporters insist that public acts of generosity not only provide immediate assistance but can also inspire others to extend a helping hand to those in need.