Janet Mbugua has commended former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko for taking swift and decisive action to rescue his daughter from an abusive relationship. In her Instagram video shared on Monday, November 17, 2025, Mbugua highlighted that Sonko’s response was exactly what many families fail to do, noting that his intervention may have saved his daughter’s life. She acknowledged that although Sonko is often viewed as a controversial public figure, his actions in this moment demonstrated the kind of protection survivors desperately need.
“Yes, he is a polarising figure, but he did what most families fail to do. He went straight into the gender-based recovery centre, and he saved her life,” she said. Mbugua went on to explain that survivors rarely remain in abusive relationships by choice, but because the cycle of abuse is layered with emotional, psychological, and financial barriers. She reminded her audience that, “Fear and love live in the same space. Economic dependence is real. Stigma and shame are real,” urging people to understand the reality victims face.
How Can Families Better Support Survivors of Abuse?
Mbugua called on the public to be more proactive, patient, and supportive when dealing with victims of gender-based violence. She encouraged Kenyans to recognise early signs of trouble and remain a safe space for their loved ones. “What does being proactive look like? It looks like checking in even after a survivor has left. It means paying attention to signs or patterns you can name, and being a safe space for the person affected,” she said. “Remember, shame, stigma, and fear are real.”
She further emphasised the importance of sharing information about resources such as Gender-Based Recovery Centres (GBRCs) to widen access to help. “It means sharing resources like GBRC and others online. But it really means paying attention and not loading judgement on somebody who is already fearing for her life,” she added. According to Mbugua, offering compassion and staying vigilant can make a life-or-death difference for those trying to escape abusive environments.
What Triggered Sonko’s Urgent Response?
The incident first came to public attention through a video posted on Sonko’s social media pages. It showed the aftermath of a confrontation that escalated when Salma, his daughter, asked her husband what they would have for breakfast. The domestic tension quickly turned into violence, leading to the slap that pushed her to call her parents for help. Sonko’s immediate reaction reflected the fear and urgency every parent feels when their child is in danger.
“Today, we received a distress call from our daughter that shook us to the core, her voice trembling, her spirit broken. As a parent, nothing prepares you for the moment your child reaches out in fear, in pain, or in desperation. I acted immediately, because no mother or father can sit still when their child is hurting,” Sonko said.
By Risper Akinyi