Former Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko claims to be with Brian Mwenda, who is wanted by the police for pretending to be a High Court counsel.
After the Law Society of Kenya demanded his arrest, Sonko announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday night that he was giving Mwenda asylum in Mombasa.
Sonko defended him against impersonation claims, claiming he was "innocent" until proven guilty and that he would present him to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Monday. Sonko referred to Mwenda as his "future lawyer."
"I continue to believe that Brian Mwenda, my future attorney, is innocent unless proven guilty. Mombasani can stay with us until Monday when we'll present him to the DCI for a statement.
Did you read this?
I still maintain that my future lawyer Brian Mwenda is innocent until proven guilty. Tuko na yeye huku Mombasani until Monday when we shall present him to the DCI to record a statement pic.twitter.com/fFGNoxG7tX
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) October 13, 2023
On Friday, Sonko confirmed his prior comments, claiming he would help Mwenda and further pledged to sponsor him to enroll in the Kenya School of Law to obtain reliable academic credentials.
"It is pretty offensive to see men criticizing this great lawyer on social media... This guy is not a criminal, has never killed anyone, and has no brains, Sonko continued.
The former governor continued by praising COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who promised to help Mwenda, pressed the government to implement the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) concept, and demanded a fair assessment of his legal knowledge, expertise, and competencies.
I'm looking for this man ASAP. I'll gift him a heifer with a lactating calf. He is a hero. It's blessings in disguise! @MikeSonko pic.twitter.com/9BuHyxUCEA
— Sen. Ledama Ole Kina (@SankaleCollins1) October 13, 2023
Sonko contends that Mwenda ought to receive proper legal instruction rather than receiving online trolling for his acts.
Let's not judge him. Huyu ni kijana sana mdogo. President of LSK, if you'll pardon me...It has taken place. There are people in our nation who have made highly significant mistakes, Sonko remarked.
The Law Society of Kenya, whose president, Eric Theuri, had previously ordered the arrest of Mwenda, said that the suspect was neither a member of the society nor an advocate for the High Court of Kenya.