Gidion Mbuvi, a 35-year-old member of Kenya’s parliament from Nairobi, was thrown out of the room by his peers for dressing inappropriately.

 

Known commonly as Mike Sonko (Sonko being a Swahili term meaning rich and flamboyant), Mbuvi offended older lawmakers by wearing ear studs and sunglasses.

 

Mbuvi says he represents a younger generation and should be allowed to wear “extras” while serving in the legislative body. But his counterparts didn’t see things the same way. He did remove the earrings and shades, but the speaker of the parliament refused to withdraw the ejection.

 

“In the history of this world since God created man, man has never imitated women,” said Lands Assistant Minister Bifwoli Wakoli.

 

Added Youth Affairs and Sport Assistant Minister Kabando wa Kabando: “Mr. Mbuvi needs to have the totality of that dressing, so earrings and a skirt would be in order for him.”

 

Elected last September, Mbuvi has proven a lightning rod for controversy. He is currently involved in multiple court cases in which he has been accused of fraud and forgery, including one relating to the purchase of 36,530 blankets and 6,200 meters of fabric. In December, U.S. ambassador Michael Ranneberger turned over a report to the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission that implicated Mbuvi in drug trafficking.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Kenya MP Gidion Mbuvi to Fight for Right to Wear Bling (BBC News)

Sonko in Trouble over Studs, Shades (by Laban Wanambisi, Capital News)

Witness Hitch in Sh18m ‘Sonko’ Case (Daily Nation)