Governor Mike Sonko of Nairobi, capital of Kenya has sparked controversy after announcing that he will distribute alcohol as part of food packs for poor families who are missing work because of coronavirus pandemic.
“From the research which has been conducted by World Health Organization (WHO) and various health organisations, it has been revealed that alcohol plays a very major role in killing the coronavirus or any sort of virus,” Sonko was quoted as saying in a statement last Tuesday.
The governor’s remarks which had many Kenyans smirking, were made at a media event during which he emphatically added that he had “small bottles of Hennessy in the food packs that we will be giving to our people”.
Governor Sonko is no stranger to controversy. He has previously faced allegations of drug trafficking and money laundering, which he denies.
President Uhuru Kenyatta in February took over his duties in key sectors after a court barred the governor from accessing his office in December 2019 over the loss of 357m Kenyans shillings ($3.3m, £2.6m). The governor denies any wrongdoing.
The national government now manages the provision of health, transport and public works in the city.
Segun Fatuase
seguntuase@gmail.com
08023092925
(with Agency reports)