Former Governor Mike Sonko Orchestrates Undercover Sting to Arrest Suspect in Brutal Acid Attack on Singer Mary Clare

Former Governor Mike Sonko coordinated an undercover arrest of Elvis Opiyo following a brutal acid attack on SDA singer Mary Clare in Kibera.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 4:53 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Tuko.co.ke

A Calculated Pursuit of Justice in the Wake of Brutality

The arrest of Elvis Opiyo has revealed a complex web of coordination led by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko following a horrific assault in Kibera. On March 17, 24-year-old gospel singer Mary Clare was doused with acid, an attack allegedly orchestrated by Opiyo and carried out by a hired accomplice. As the victim fought for her life at Kenyatta National Hospital, Sonko utilized his public platform to denounce the surge in gender-based violence, placing a KSh 50,000 bounty on the suspect. This public intervention served as the catalyst for an undercover operation designed to bring the fugitive suspect out of hiding in rural Oyugis.

The Deceptive Ruse and the Journey to the Capital

The breakthrough in the case came when a close female friend of the victim managed to contact Opiyo, who had fled to Homa Bay County following the incident. According to internal accounts of the operation, the friend convinced the suspect that Clare was in a stable condition and wished to speak with him personally. Tricked into believing he could reconcile or explain his actions, Opiyo boarded a bus to Nairobi on Sunday, March 22. Throughout the journey, the victim's brother and an anonymous informant kept Sonko and law enforcement updated on the suspect’s movements, ensuring a tactical advantage as he approached the city.

A Tense Confrontation at the Famous Cafe

The sting operation culminated in the public parking area of Kenyatta National Hospital at a venue known as the Famous Cafe. As Opiyo arrived to meet the lady friend for tea, plainclothes officers coordinated by the Kibera OCS took up positions around the perimeter. According to the operation’s timeline, the suspect was identified and swiftly apprehended while sitting with the woman who had lured him there. Sonko, who was in constant communication with the arresting officers, insisted that no leniency be shown, citing previous reports of assault involving the same individual. The arrest was finalized only after witnesses were secured to provide statements at the station.