Sonko endorses Elkana for Nyali MP

Former Nairobi governor and National Economic Development Party leader Mike Sonko has endorsed his personal assistant and former director of communication in Nairobi county Jacob Elkana for the Nyali MP seat.

Sonko described Elkana as a hard working young man with a heart of compassion similar to his.

“I am now empowering him and he is looking for the Nyali seat. The people of Nyali will be lucky to have him represent them in Parliament,” Sonko said.

In a video posted on his socials, Sonko said Elkana is a loyal person who hates seeing people suffer and will go out of his way to help.

“I guess he had some inbuilt traits that he did not know of until he met me. That is when he started showing his compassionate heart,” the NEDP party leader said.

Although Sonko did not indicate whether he would welcome Elkana to his party or not, the former governor said he trusts his PA to empower the people of Nyali, especially those who live on under a dollar per day.

Elkana on Thursday evening told the Star he has not thought of any political party, adding that he is focusing on trying to come up with programs that will see the Nyali people, especially the youth, climb the social and economic ladder.

“Nyali has some of the most hardworking people in Mombasa yet their economic statuses are nothing to write home about. We need to have a Nyali where everyone can comfortably afford three meals a day because Nyali is one of the economic hubs of Mombasa county,” the former Star photojournalist said.

He said he will leverage his journalistic instincts and knowledge to ensure rights of the vulnerable people of Nyali and Mombasa in general.

On Wednesday, Elkana said he will champion the rights and dignity of widows and put them at the center of his economic empowerment agenda.

He said widows are most times neglected by their in-laws, who sometimes abuse their rights.

“Widows more often than not suffer face a number of challenges including economic hardships, discrimination, and limited access to essential services,” Elkana said.

“We need to build a society founded on inclusion, unity, justice, and equal opportunity. That is why we should not only empathize with widows but also ensure they are empowered through improved access to services, social protection initiatives, and stronger representation in community development processes,” the former journalist said.

He called for the fast-tracking of the proposed Widowed Persons Protection Bill, 2026 into law, saying it would provide widows with stronger legal, social, and economic safeguards while guaranteeing their dignity and rights.

The Bill seeks to protect widows from discrimination, land grab, disinheritance, unlawful evictions, and harmful cultural practices like widow cleansing and inheritance.

The Bill, if passed into law, will establish a Widowed Persons Protection Board which will strengthen access to legal aid and counseling services for widows.

“The passage of this Bill will mark a major milestone in advancing gender equality, social justice, human dignity, and protection of vulnerable families. It will ensure widows live with security, respect, and equal opportunities to participate fully in national development,” Elkana said.