Since making his entry on the political scene when he was elected Makadara MP in a 2010 by-election, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s ever-changing, often eccentric haircuts have been a defining feature of the man.
While Sonko toned down on the crazy haircuts and outfits as he cast himself in a more professional light ahead of gubernatorial elections in 2017, he remains loyal to his long-time barber based in Nairobi’s Buru Buru area.
The woman runs a barber-shop that employs five and serves hundreds. She was largely responsible for Sonko’s crazy haircuts during his time as Senator and MP, haircuts which typically featured various political messages inscribed on the Governor’s head, with the hair-color also constantly changing.
Sonko has previously spoken on his barber, including in 2016 when he appreciated her for her work. On Sunday, February 1, however, the embattled Governor shared an inspiring story of how his favourite barber rose to become an established entrepreneur.
Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa shake hands after the signing of the agreement in which functions of the Nairobi County Government were handed to the National Government on Tuesday, February 25 at State House.
PSCU
He revealed that the lady first opened the barber-shop in the low-income Mathare North area in Nairobi and struggled to get her first client.
“She started in Mathare North in a small mabati shop and grew to where she is today. She remembers a day when she only shaved one kid for Ksh10 bob having opened work at 7 a.m. and closed at 9 p.m.
“Aki Sonko If it were not for the vision I had, ningeachana na hii job hiyo siku (I would have quit this job on that day)”, she tells me,” Sonko wrote.
The governor explained that the woman remained persistent and eventually moved to a space in Buruburu.
“You see not so many of us would work for ten bob. It took her almost a month to get the first client, and the client was a small one.
“She was happy for the little she got and that motivated her to be patient,” he stated.
As the business grew, the lady employed five individuals who continue to work at the barber-shop. Sonko advised aspiring entrepreneurs to learn from her to be patient as they chase after their dreams.
“Today, most of the young people don’t want to wait. They want to earn a million the second day they open a business. We want to get tenders and high-end clients in the first month.
“The truth is, things don’t go like that. In any business, you will go through dark times and if your vision and focus is not big enough, you will quit,” he asserted.
The governor has been in the headlines in recent weeks after he surrendered his duties to the national government with an unprecedented agreement signed at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, January 25.
In addition, despite efforts by President Uhuru Kenyatta to prevail on city ward representatives to drop plans to impeach Sonko, Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok has vowed to forge forward with the motion.
Sample more photos of Sonko at the barbershop below:
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s long-time barber pictured serving him at her shop in Buru Buru, Nairobi in February 2016
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s long-time barber pictured serving him at her shop in Nairobi’s Buru Buru estate in 2016
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s long-time barber pictured serving him at her shop in Nairobi’s Buru Buru estate in 2016
