Sonko never punched me – Kidero

Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero has denied reports that Senator Gidion Mbuvi alias Mike Sonko punched him following a violent altercation during a session of the Senate Public Affairs Committee (PAC).

The two leaders were reportedly engaged in a heated verbal altercation after Sonko accused Kidero, together with his allies, of murdering a property owner in Kilimani estate, Nairobi.

Kidero, who acknowledges the confrontation between himself and the Senator, denies that Sonko punched him arguing that he was drunk.

“No, I said to the members that Sonko is my brother, just leave him because they were trying to restrain him,” said Kidero.

“I don’t think as leaders we have to fight. We may have differences in opinion but we must express them maturely, with dignity and decorum, and these differences must be argued intelligently.”

He further denied claims by the Nairobi Senator that he provoked him (Sonko) by threatening to rough him up.

“It’s not possible. I am known for my dignity and integrity and whatever I had to say was presented in writing and would not lead to any confrontations.”

“If he (Sonko) tried to do it (punch him), then I did not see it,” said Kidero, adding that the altercation between the two was unfortunate as it went out of control and the PAC’s chairman, Prof. Any’ang’ Nyo’ng’o, failed to contain the situation as he should have.

He further dismissed the murder allegations by Sonko saying that it (murder) is a capital offence and should not be trivialized.

“I think murder is a capital offence and a capital crime. And as the PAC chairman told him, that was not the appropriate forum to raise the issue but should have been investigated.”

He adds that he holds no grudge against the Senator and that each of them has a role to play.

The altercation between the two leaders saw a session of the Senate Public Accounts Committee prematurely terminated.

Kidero was appearing before the committee to respond to audit queries for the 2013/2014 Financial Year.