Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko could not hide his joy as Janet Kaindi, a young woman he helped raise for nearly two decades, took another major step in her life by getting traditionally engaged to her fiancé, Elvis Kintu.
The colourful ruracio ceremony was held at Sonko’s lavish Mua Hills home, bringing together family members, friends, and respected elders in a celebration filled with love, gratitude, and cultural pride.
Sharing the emotional milestone on social media, Sonko recounted Janet’s inspiring journey, revealing that she joined his family 18 years ago after losing both her parents at a tender age.
“18 years ago, Janet Kaindi came into my family from Nzeluni Village in Mwingi, Kitui County. Having lost both her parents, she was just a little girl in Class Three, carrying a burden no child should ever have to bear and facing a future filled with uncertainty,” Sonko wrote.
According to the former governor, Janet was enrolled at Baraka Primary School in Buruburu before proceeding to Arya Girls High School.
Her resilience and determination later saw her graduate from Daystar University, a feat Sonko described as one of the greatest blessings of his life.
Reflecting on her transformation over the years, Sonko expressed immense pride in the woman Janet has become.
“Today, when I look at Janet, I do not see the frightened orphaned girl who first walked through our doors. I see a remarkable, beautiful, intelligent, and responsible woman who has blossomed beyond anything we could have imagined and is now ready to begin a family of her own,” he said.
The emotional father figure revealed that preparations for the union had begun weeks earlier when Elvis Kintu’s family visited his Nyari residence for the official introduction ceremony.
“My heart first began to overflow with emotion last month when the parents of her fiancé visited our Nyari home for introductions,” Sonko shared.
However, it was during the traditional ruracio ceremony at the family’s Mua Hills home that the magnitude of the occasion truly sank in.
“Watching the family of her husband-to-be, Elvis Kintu, come to seek her hand in marriage was deeply moving, a moment filled with love, pride, and thanksgiving that I will treasure for the rest of my life,” he noted.
The event also carried special significance for Sonko, who has previously spoken openly about being an orphan himself.
To honour the occasion and uphold Akamba traditions, he invited elders from the Akamba Council of Clans drawn from the three Ukambani counties to stand with him during the ceremony.
Led by elder Daniel Mutunga Muasya of the Akitondo Clan and Felix Mutune Malenga, among other respected leaders, the elders received the dowry on behalf of Sonko’s family, making the celebration even more meaningful.
While Janet’s painful childhood experiences are rarely discussed within the family, Sonko said her life story remains a powerful reminder that difficult beginnings do not define one’s destiny.
“Her journey reminds us that God can heal broken hearts, turn tears into joy, replace despair with hope, and transform the deepest hardships into extraordinary blessings,” he reflected.
As Janet embarks on a new chapter with Elvis, Sonko showered the couple with heartfelt blessings, wishing them a marriage anchored in love, peace, and God’s guidance.
“My daughter Janet, words cannot fully express how proud we are of you. Watching you grow into the woman you are today has been a privilege and a joy. May God richly bless your union, guide your steps, strengthen your love, and fill your home with peace, laughter, happiness, and His everlasting favour,” Sonko wrote.
The former Nairobi governor also disclosed that the couple’s white wedding is scheduled to take place on July 14, at Limuru Gardens.
For many Kenyans who have followed Sonko’s philanthropic initiatives over the years, Janet’s story serves as yet another example of the impact that compassion and opportunity can have on a person’s life.
From a young orphan facing an uncertain future to a university graduate preparing to start her own family, Janet’s journey has become a testament to resilience, faith, and the transformative power of love and support.
As the family counts down to the much-anticipated wedding, Sonko says there is only one thing left to say: “To God be all the glory.”
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