Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has granted a pardon to Tyson Kibet, a 23 year old student from Kabete National Polytechnic, who had been detained for two months for impersonating Sonko on Facebook.
On August 15, 2024, Sonko informed the Milimani Law Courts senior principal magistrate of his decision to withdraw the case against Kibet, who had been held on charges of cyber-squatting under Section 28 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act No. 5 of 2018.
Sonko’s decision to pardon Kibet came after the student’s parents, unable to afford the KSh 1 million bond for his release, approached Sonko with a plea for leniency.
Sonko explained that his choice to forgive Kibet was made out of compassion for the student’s financial struggles and the humility of his parents.
“I am forgiving him willingly because his parents have approached me and told me that he is a student. They cannot afford the bond, so I have decided to withdraw the case unconditionally,” Sonko stated.
He emphasized that this forgiveness was granted voluntarily and that he would not pursue the matter further in court.
Kibet, who admitted to using a fraudulent Facebook account under Sonko’s name to deceive people and post explicit content for financial gain, expressed deep regret for his actions.
In his apology, Kibet stated, “I deeply regret my actions of impersonating Mike Sonko’s Facebook account.
It is an act that I will never repeat and therefore ask for forgiveness from all I offended through my action of impersonation.”
Additionally, Kibet has requested employment from Sonko as a means to improve his financial situation and avoid further wrongdoing.
