Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko caused a stir on Saturday after confronting his son-in-law following what he described as a distressing phone call from his daughter, who allegedly said she had been slapped.

In a dramatic video shared on social media, Sonko says he rushed over after his daughter reached out to her mother, trembling and frightened. “Nothing prepares you for the moment your child reaches out in fear, in pain, or in desperation,” he said in a statement.

“I acted immediately, because no mother or father can sit still when their child is hurting.”

Sonko’s Loyal Support — and a Warning

Sonko visited his daughter’s home and confronted her husband in an emotional exchange. According to him, he has been financially supporting the family — paying rent, school fees, groceries, even buying them a Range Rover — only for the man to allegedly abuse his daughter.

“If my own daughter can face harassment in her own home, what about countless young women and men in Kenya who suffer silently with no one to defend them?” he said.

The former governor urged victims of domestic violence to speak out. He noted that even low-income hospitals offer services for those experiencing sexual and gender-based violence.

During the confrontation, Sonko’s team was ready to use force, but he restrained them, saying violence would not fix the problem. He left with his daughter, warning her husband sternly: “Never touch my daughter again.” He also expressed hope for a future, “sober conversation” about their troubled marriage.

A Broader Appeal for Peace

Sonko closed his remarks with a heartfelt call to young couples.

“Marriage is never a smooth road. It is built through storms and sunshine… But when challenges turn into violence, then the very foundation of that marriage is shaken,” he said.

“Please, choose peace. Choose dialogue before anger… Violence doesn’t solve anything; it only destroys the heart, the home, and the future.”

Context & Reactions

This is not the first time Sonko has publicly intervened in his family affairs. In the past, he has spoken out on attacks involving his daughter, and defended her fiercely.

Experts say Sonko’s actions spotlight a larger conversation in Kenya about domestic violence, power dynamics in families, and how public figures respond when private matters turn painful.

But critics warn that social media videos do not always tell the full story. They call for due process, including investigations, before drawing conclusions.