Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko revealed in court papers that he ailed from HIV.
Court papers filed by the office of Director of Public Prosecutions say Sonko claimed in an affidavit that he was ailing from at least four life-threatening conditions as he sought to secure his release from prison 18 years ago.
In new documents obtained by the Star, the governor had in 2001 said in an affidavit that he was HIV positive and epileptic.
Sonko also said in an affidavit that he was suffering from chronic tuberculosis and peptic ulcers.
The county chief also claimed that he was by 2001 the son of a single mother who had died while he was behind bars.
“I HAVE UNDERGONE A LOT OF SUFFERING. I LOST MY MOTHER WHILE IN PRISON. SHE WAS A SINGLE PARENT AND MY ONLY HOPE. MY YOUNGER BROTHER AND SISTER ARE STILL IN SCHOOL AND NOW DEPEND ON ME. MY WIFE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND ALL THE BELONGING SEIZED,” HE SAID.
In his affidavit dated 2/2/2001 supporting his appeal to be released on medical grounds, Sonko claims that his conditions required ‘expensive treatment and management.”
“CURRENTLY I AM ADMITTED AT THE PRISON HOSPITAL AND MY CHANCES OF SURVIVAL ARE VERY MINIMAL HENCE SEEK TO BE RELEASED ON MEDICAL GROUNDS OR IN COMPLIANCE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY EXERCISE DATED 12/12/2000,” SONKO SAYS.
The affidavit was filed at the High Court in Nairobi.
Yesterday Sonko was taken from remand prison to hospital. Doctors attending to the governor at Kenyatta National Hospital did not say what he was being treated for but Sonko’s handlers said he suffered chest pains and high blood pressure.