Evans Kidero threatens to impound Mike Sonko 'Rescue Team' hearses

Nairobi senator Mike Sonko addressing the Nairobi County Assembly on February 10, 2015. Charity services being offered by Mr Sonko to residents through the Sonko Rescue Team may soon be suspended unless he registers it with the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Coordination Board within 21 days. FILE PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |

What you need to know:

  • This is the latest in a series of public spats.
  • Mr Sonko is widely believed to be considering running for governor in 2017.

The wars between Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Senator Mike Sonko took a turn for the worst, after the former banned hearses owned by the latter, saying they were unlicensed.

Dr Kidero said he had instructed his chief enforcement officer to ensure all vehicles operating hearse services that are not licensed are impounded this week.

However, the Nairobi Senator said his vehicles, some of which offer funeral and firefighting services, were licensed and that he was operating a legitimate service.

“I bought the vehicles (hearses) from Umash Funeral Services and they have all the licences and are insured since I bought them from people who were already engaged in that business,” he said.

Recently, Dr Kidero warned that there were people running parallel private services apart from those offered by the county government, adding that the source of the money involved was suspect.

However, Mr Sonko has maintained that his services target the poor who are not able to afford a range of expenses, including transport for weddings.

The two have also lately been involved in public spats, accusing each other of corruption and questionable business dealings, and Mr Sonko is widely believed to be considering running for governor in 2017.