Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is yet again slated to receive another prestigious award for his humanitarian work.
Sonko has been nominated for the World Humanitarian Awards 2019 that will take place in Los Angeles, USA on 21st and 22nd December.
The prestigious title is conferred on eminent individuals who have worked diligently in their respective fields of expertise and are known for their humanitarian contributions in the society.
This comes days after bagging the Governor of the Year award during the 2019 Mashujaa Awards.
He outshined Makueni’s Kivutha Kibwana, Mombasa’s Hassan Joho and Alfred Mutua of Machakos to bag the prestigious award.
In a colorful fete organized by Consortium of University students, Sonko garnered over 250,000 votes from online voters, with Makueni’s Kivutha Kibwana coming second with 110,000 votes.
Mutua came third with 70,000 votes while Joho managed 55,000 votes.
Sonko won on grounds of popularity among the youth, investment in health, sports, infrastructure and his familiarity with problems affecting the youths.
Environment executive Vesca Kagongo and Chief of Staff Peter Kamau were present to receive the reward on his behalf.
Vesca urged the youth to register companies and apply for business tenders at the county government. She said that the county has an open-door policy to young people engaging in entrepreneurship .
“We run a youth-driven government and you don’t need to wait until you are out of University to start companies for business. Do it now and we are ready for you,” Vesca said.
While receiving the award from his Chief of Staff, Sonko promised to keep employing youth from informal settlements despite criticism from a section of leaders.
“I will not abandon them even if some people are calling them bad names. They are human beings and also have bills to pay,” he said.
The governor said he is proud of his track record for the last two years and is optimistic that he will fulfill his development agenda.
“It is always good to do good to help the society. Someone somewhere is always watching. Even if you do not get noticed here, your reward will always be in heaven,” said the Governor.
Sonko is also the Good Deeds Ambassador for Kenya.
The 2019 Mashujaa Awards was dominated by Nairobi leaders, with Embakasi MP Babu Owino bagging the MP of the Year award while Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris walked away with the Woman Representative of the Year award.
Babu, popularly known as Comrade, was awarded for his astute commitment in defending higher education students.
Passaris was hailed for her dedication in advocating for solutions to gender-based violence and defending rights of women.
Other categories awarded in the event were the Artist of the Year, University Leader of the Year, Fashion Artist of the Year, Model of the Year, among others.
