A distressing phone call between Salma Mbuvi, daughter of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, and her mother, Primrose Mbuvi, has surfaced online, leading to a dramatic confrontation that has captured public attention. In the recording from Sunday, November 16, 2025, a tearful Salma alleged her husband assaulted her at their Kitengela home following a dispute over breakfast. “I just asked for breakfast and I was slapped twice,” Salma stated in the call, adding that she had no money and their children were hungry.

The distress call prompted an immediate and forceful response from her father. On the same day, Mr. Sonko, accompanied by his security team, drove to the couple's residence in Kitengela to confront his son-in-law. A widely circulated video of the encounter shows an angered Sonko questioning the man about the alleged assault, highlighting the extensive financial support he provides for the family. “Why are you beating my daughter? I pay for your rent and food, bought you a car, I school your children, and am even doing your shopping because I know your income is low,” Sonko stated during the confrontation.

According to reports, this was not the first incident of violence. Sonko claimed his daughter had endured more than ten similar assaults but he had previously remained silent, hoping the couple would resolve their issues privately. During the heated exchange, the son-in-law reportedly asked for forgiveness, describing the event as a “slight argument.” At one point, one of Sonko's bodyguards attempted to retaliate physically against the husband, but Salma intervened to protect him. Sonko de-escalated the situation, insisting that violence was not the answer. He subsequently removed his daughter from the home and took her to Nairobi Women's Hospital for a medical examination.

Public Reaction and Broader Implications

The incident has triggered a significant public debate across Kenya regarding gender-based violence (GBV), parental responsibility, and the complexities of domestic disputes, particularly in families of public figures. Many Kenyans on social media praised Sonko for his direct intervention and for using his platform to speak out against domestic abuse. However, the revelation that Sonko was financially sustaining the couple, including purchasing a Range Rover for his son-in-law, also drew surprise and criticism from the public.

In a statement released on his social media channels, Sonko reflected on the broader issue, questioning what happens to victims without a support system. “If my own daughter can face harassment in her own home, what about the countless young women and men in Kenya who suffer silently, with no one to defend them?” he wrote. He urged young couples to seek peaceful conflict resolution and encouraged victims of GBV to report abuse and seek medical and legal assistance.

This is not the first time Sonko's daughters have been involved in highly publicised domestic disputes. His eldest daughter, Saumu Mbuvi, has previously made allegations of assault against former partners, including former Lamu senator Anwar Loitiptip. These repeated incidents involving the prominent family have intensified the national conversation on the prevalence of domestic violence across all socio-economic classes in Kenya. Advocacy groups argue that such high-profile cases underscore the pervasive nature of GBV and the immense difficulty ordinary victims face in seeking justice and support.