What started as a shocking attack in Kibera has turned into a carefully planned pursuit that feels almost like a staged sting operation, with former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko playing a key role.
New information shows that Sonko personally helped coordinate the arrest of gospel singer Mary Clare’s estranged boyfriend after a violent acid attack left her, at 24 years old, hospitalized.
The suspect, Elvis Opiyo, was not caught through a typical police search. Instead, a close contact of the victim set a trap.
According to Sonko, a woman known to both Clare and Opiyo convinced him to travel from Homa Bay to Nairobi, believing Clare wanted to see him.
Unaware he was walking into a setup, Opiyo agreed to meet near Kenyatta National Hospital, where Clare was being treated. Behind the scenes, Sonko stayed in close contact with Clare’s family and the police to monitor every step.
At the meeting point, plainclothes officers arrested Opiyo without any problems. Sonko, who has recently been outspoken against gender-based violence, emphasized that all witnesses needed to be secured before any reward was offered for information leading to the arrest.
The attack, reportedly carried out by someone else hired for the job, caused serious injuries to Clare.
She was initially taken to a clinic on Ngong Road and later moved to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized treatment.
The case has moved into the legal system, with Opiyo appearing in Kibera Law Courts and held as investigators continue their work.
As the investigation goes on, this incident has sparked public anger over the growing cases of gender-based violence. Many are now watching closely to see if justice will be done.