And as the debate rages as to who was meant to gain from the intimate photos of Sonko and Shebesh posted on gossip websites, at least one of them was involved in spreading the pictures.
But as the controversy between Sonko and Shebesh rages, the Nairobi Senator has come out to declare that his friendship with the Nairobi Women Representative is over.
Sonko has also launched a political battle against his strong ally whom he now accuses of not being loyal to Jubilee.
The controversial senator claims that Sonko has links with CORD leader Raila Odinga whom he alleges she has been sharing Jubilee secrets with.
The two politicians reportedly had a fight in a city hotel recently.
“We are no longer friends,” Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has said, describing his relationship with Nairobi Women Representative Rachel Shebesh.
Sonko also described Shebesh’s performance as the Nairobi Women MP as below par. Sonko obviously sees himself as a performer despite engaging in many shenanigans.
The senator adds that Shebesh has not been a loyal TNA leader and accuses her of leaking party secrets to CORD leader Raila Odinga, who lost the March 4 election to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Sonko’s claims come hot on the heels of controversial pictures depicting the two leaders in compromising situations at different locations.
But the most surprising aspect of the drama is Shebesh’s uncharacteristic silence since the pictures went viral. Meanwhile it emerged that the pictures were posted on rumour websites by bloggers known to both Nairobi leaders.
Our investigations revealed that one Roy Ogolla posted the first picture on the Internet on Wednesday last week at 4pm allegedly in the interest of Shebesh.
Ogolla insists the images were real, contrary to Sonko’s allegations that they had been digitally manipulated to create the impression of a romantic affair.
The picture, Ogola explained was to embarrass the senator and deal him a political blow. However, when it went viral, Sonko used the same medium to hit back.
“Yes, I posted the picture at 4pm on Wednesday to defend Shebesh,” Mr Ogolla, who is a Community Development and Communications student at Daystar University and blogger, said.
He added: “I wanted to defend Shebesh who is my friend, having worked with her at Young Kenyans for Raila 2007 in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). I had also known her through her brother who is an actor.”
In phone text messages seen by The Counties, Ogolla writes to Sonko saying that he should meet him and Okaka to discuss how to end the war.
Ogolla later sent an sms to Shebesh informing her that he had finished Sonko officially and that she should not worry.
The sms sent to Shebesh reads: Call me as soon as your phone is back on----Mike just threatened me for defending you.
Online battle
He adds in another, “I’ve finished Mike officially” and goes on, you will overcome this. I’m fighting the online battle for you. I still respect you for who you are. Already turned heat on Mike and he will soon be a laughing stock. Let’s talk when you can. Roy Ogolla.”
But Sonko dismissed Ogolla as an extortionist and an idler who is seeking publicity by fighting with an elected leader.
He said the pictures have been doctored but Ogolla insists they are real. Recently, it was reported that Sonko and Shebesh checked into a hotel in the Upper Hill area for a meeting while being served drinks until late.
Hotel meeting
But they were involved in a scuffle after their security personnel had left them on their own.
It is claimed the altercation left Shebesh with an injured arm and she reported the matter to the Coalition of Violence against Women (Covaw) lobby group.
The two started working together when Shebesh quit ODM for The National Alliance ( TNA) party and ran their campaigns as TNA coordinators for Nairobi County.
Sonko blames Ogolla for blackmailing and wanting to extort money from him.
“I did not know this man until Ken Okaka brought him to my office seeking my help to start Intouch Mtaani magazine. Okaka is one of directors of the magazine. I gave them Sh150, 000 in good faith,” Mr Sonko said.
The senator said the two later went back to his office asking for Sh200, 000 which he declined to give.
He suspects denying them more money could have sparked disagreements. Sonko said Ogolla had teamed up with others to extort money from him.
“A man from River Road claiming he is the one who posted media personalities pictures on the net, called me saying that I should pay him Sh2 million so that he does not post my mine on the net.”
Received money
“When I called him back and asked him to meet me in my office, he refused and together with Ogolla, they started posting the fake pictures,” Mr Sonko said.
Ogolla admitted that he received the money from Sonko to launch the magazine in May and has now published two issues.
Sonko said his friendship with Shebesh is now over and each of them should focus on their mandate.
“We have differences related to our work and party matters. She reveals party secrets to our opponents and she rarely delivers in her duties. Let her go her way and I go my way. We both have our supporters,” Sonko said.
