In a startling revelation, Swaleh Sonko, also known to many as the “Goon Zii” leader has accused veteran politician Reuben Ndolo of threatening to kill him after he pledged allegiance to former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko’s camp.
The dramatic exposé emerged during a recent candid interview on the YouTube talk show Obinna Show Live with host Oga Obinna.
“I got a call from Ndolo himself saying I should back off or face ‘dire consequences’,” He said, his voice tense and unmistakably serious.
“He told me: ‘Stay away from Sonko’s people or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.’” He added.
The allegation sets the stage for a high-stakes confrontation within Kenya’s political underbelly.
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From ODM Foot Soldier to Sonko Loyalist
Swaleh traced his roots back to the gritty streets of Kaloleni and Makadara, where he rose to notoriety as a leader of the Goon Zii group.
He originally aligned himself with Reuben Ndolo’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) machinery.
“I was part of Ndolo’s ecosystem, we had our own team, our own turf,” he recalled.
However, things took a sharp turn when he threw his support behind Sonko’s political brand.
“When Sonko came into the picture, he saw something in me. He said, ‘I want you with me’,” Sonko narrated.
That move didn’t sit well with his former allies, he claims, sparking what he describes as “the threat”.
Threat or Political Play? The Fallout
Swaleh claims the intimidation began almost immediately after his political realignment.
“It started with harsh words, then came that call from Ndolo,” he said.
“He made it clear, the Sonko team is the enemy now.” Swaleh said.
While he didn’t disclose the exact content of the phone call, he stated it was explicit enough to send a strong signal.
The former street commander turned political operative said he has taken security steps since the incident.
“I’m not acting afraid, but I’m also not foolish. In this business you must watch your back,” he told Oga Obinna.
Implications For Nairobi’s Power Game
With Kenya’s 2027 elections looming, the tussle between old-guard parties like ODM and emerging power brokers such as Mike Sonko’s network is heating up.
Mike Sonko’s entourage, including figures like Swaleh, represent a new type of grassroots muscle that thrives outside the formal party hierarchies.
Swaleh’s stormy exit from Ndolo’s ranks highlights a broader realignment: traditional party structures are now competing with hyper-local networks grounded in personality politics, identity and street credibility.
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Conclusion: A Warning Shot Fired?
Whether this is a genuine threat or a strategic manoeuvre remains open to interpretation.
For Swaleh, though, the message is clear: he is committed to his new political alignment and willing to face the risks.
For Ndolo and ODM, the claim raises questions about internal discipline and power dynamics within their ranks.
As we head toward another election cycle dominated by shifting loyalties and volatile alliances, Swaleh’s story is a vivid reminder: in Kenyan politics, the battlefield isn’t just on the campaign trail, it’s in every phone call, every hand-shake, and every whispered threat in the dark.
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