My daughter and I were once diagnosed with bipolar disorder -Sonko

Former Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has now disclosed that he was once diagnosed with Bipolar disorder.

Sonko said one of his daughters also had the same diagnosis.

He was speaking on Wednesday when he went to visit journalists Kimani Mbugua and Eunice Omollo at Mathare Hospital. 

“I also had this condition before and it is like a hereditary factor in our family. My daughter also had it but we took the medication. We usually visit my doctor for the checkups,” Sonko said.

Sonko who was accompanied by comedian Oga Obbina and Kimani Mbugua’s family to check on their recovery progress said he visited the facility for a follow-up.

They were briefed on the progress of the two by the team of doctors managing them.

“Eunice Omollo was however under medication at the female ward when we visited, I only had a chance to interact with Kimani Mbugua.  We had great moments together with Kimani Mbugua bringing up memories of past interviews and a broad discussion of his current struggle,” Sonko said.

Sonko further said Kimani has already given so much to the world through his work, and it was time to give back hope, love, and care.

The former governor said they had plans to transfer the two to a rehabilitation centre in Mombasa.

“We were very much impressed by the services of the entire administration of the hospital, it’s a very good hospital with qualified and professional medical staff,” he said.

Sonko said they had gotten to hear about the good service from the hospital from Kimani’s dad and that he was due for a discharge in a week.

Regarding Eunice, he said she was also due for discharge.

“We will transfer them to Mombasa and it will just be for purposes of change of environment which can also greatly contribute to the recovery of a patient. That’s why I decided together with the family to transfer them to Mombasa Women Rehabilitation Centre where Conjestina Achieng is also rehabilitated tuone kama watachange for good,” he added.

He said both Kimani and Eunice are fighters and they deserve a chance to recover fully and return to their normal lives.

Sonko noted that he was not using the condition for his gains but to also create awareness.

He added that he is not one to give false promises while giving an example of an incident that took place some years ago.

“10 years ago we had a terror attack in a church where a baby was shot in the head. I am still with that baby and taking good care of him. That is also why I am here, Obinna raised Kimani Mbugua’s case and our sister Eunice. I am here to do a thorough follow-up on that,” he said.