Uhuru tells off Sonko over acting President remarks

President Uhuru Kenyatta has broken his silence over the controversial utterances by Nairobi Senator Gidion Mbuvi alias Mike Sonko at a funeral service on Friday, October 14.

Senator Sonko had, at the funeral of Wavinya Ndeti’s husband Dolamy Oduwole in Machakos, stated that he was the acting President since the Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta, was in Togo and his deputy, William Ruto, in France.

“As we speak you (the Kamba community) have the position of the acting President of Kenya. President Uhuru is in Togo, DP Ruto is in France, I am the third in command; I am now the acting President of the Republic of Kenya,” Sonko had said.

“All these police officers that you see around are here because of me. I am the acting President of the Republic of Kenya.”

Speaking at the State House Anti-Corruption and Accountability Summit on Tuesday, October 18, President Kenyatta told off Senator Sonko over the pronouncement saying he is still President whether he is in or out of the country.

“Before we get into serious matters, don’t bother what people say at funerals or wedding or any other occasions. I have only, on one occasion, left the office of President when they took me to some funny court (ICC) and made me sign a piece of paper leaving my deputy to act as President,” he said amid acclamation from the audience.

“So whether I am in Togo I am still President.  So this is the President speaking from Nairobi, let the media say what they want to say.”

Uhuru’s utterance comes just days after State House spokesman, Manoah Esipisu, said that the law will take its course regarding the utterances made by Senator Sonko.

In his weekly address in Kisumu on Sunday, Esipisu said that State House would not delve into the matter since it is already being handled by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Keriako Tobiko.

Sonko’s utterances sparked outrage in the political circle with several leaders calling for legal action against him.

Makueni Senator, Mutula Kilonzo Jr., castigated Sonko over the remarks saying it was wrong for him to toy around with the Presidency.

“Senator Sonko is my colleague, but I would like to apologise to Kenyans for belittling the Office of the President. He is not and cannot be the acting President,” said Senator Mutula.

Sonko had claimed that he had been sent to represent the President at the funeral and read his speech on his behalf, and demanded to be accorded the respect that would President Uhuru.

The service was thrown into disarray later into Senator Sonko’s address after he lashed out at the master of ceremony for demanding that he cuts short his speech.

Youth chanting Wiper party slogans made frantic efforts to shout down the Nairobi Senator who was then adamant that he must address the mourners.

The melee prompted CORD leaders, Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula, to leave the service prematurely.

The Nairobi Senator has, however, defended his pronouncement, blaming the media for altering the video clips to implicate him.

“I am appalled by news from a section of the press meant to tarnish my name following my obligated duty officially mandated by the Office of the President to read his message conveyed to the family and friends of the late Henry Odwale, husband to Hon. Wavinya Ndeti,” stated Sonko in a press release to media on Saturday.

On Monday, Senator Sonko was at CID Headquarters to record a statement over his utterances.