When he visited the Nairobi City Mortuary together with the family of a young man who lost his life during the body viewing exercise of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga,former Nairobi Governor was confronted with the devastating reality of families who are struggling to raise money for transporting the bodies of their loved ones upcountry.
It was one case after another until he came across some street boys who appeared helpless and in dire need of help- and in this case, money to buy a coffin and catering for transport.
Being street smart himself,Sonko suspected some some foul play and promised to send them the needed Kshs.13,000 upon confirmation of the body.
And on Friday night, through his Sonko Rescue Team,he set up the bait where one of the street boys was called to give more logistical information on the body of their ‘beloved’ one.
Here came the shock; it was a long con game- the boys are a notorious con gang that hoovers around hospitals and the city mortuary to con unsuspecting members of the public.
In the phone call,the group leader told the Sonko Rescue Team representative to push for the release of the money and that he will be given half of it.Simply put,there was no dead body.
A furious Mike Sonko took to the social media to warn the public about it
“THIS IS ROBBERY WITHOUT VIOLENCE,” Sonko typed in bold.
Then he went on to explain the ordeal: “Imagine hawa machokosh who had a contribution book bearing a photo of one of their own? Imagine they were claiming mwezao amekufa and the body is lying at Mama Lucy Mortuary coz of 13k for transport. Kumbe they were lying hakuna body yao ilikuwa mamalucy they are just conning unsuspecting members of the public,”
Early on Friday,Sonko has stated that the reason some politicians avoid going to public places is to avoid such cases.
Now I know the reason why politicians avoid going to such places.
“Haki jana nilivurugwa sana na raia who were stuck and helpless due to uncleared bills pale city mortuary,”
He however explained that during during his time as the County Boss, he would waive morgue fees in such cases so as to allow the deceased families to bury their loved ones.
“By doing so we were at the same time decongesting the piling up of bodies at the facility,”
As for the street boys,Sonko said that he won’t organise for their arrest but asked the group leader to think of something better they can do to earn a living.
Sonko promised to support any business venture they will come up with.
