Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has opened up about his struggle with weight and the lifestyle changes he made after becoming concerned about his physical health.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Citizen, Sonko said his weight had reached a point where he felt it was affecting his daily life and physical well-being.
“Nilikua naendelea vibaya kimwili. Nilikua overweight. Mwili ilikua imenizidi weight.”
Sonko said he weighed about 98.9 kilogrammes at his heaviest and had accumulated what he described as excess fat across his body.
He also recalled experiencing a racing heartbeat and difficulties that affected him even in private aspects of his life.
Changing His Diet
According to Sonko, his concerns pushed him to take deliberate steps to change his lifestyle.
He said he began following a strict diet, focusing mainly on boiled foods while reducing his intake of fats and carbohydrates.
“Ikabidi sasa ndo nisipate aibu nikaanza kitu inaitwa diet.”
Sonko said the changes required him to be disciplined about what he ate and to make significant adjustments to his previous routine.
He also said he stopped drinking alcohol and reduced his participation in social activities and parties as he focused on improving his health.
Exercise Became Part of the Routine
Alongside dietary changes, Sonko said he introduced regular and serious exercise as part of his efforts to manage his weight.
“Nikaingia serious exercise na nikajinyimaa kabisa.”
His account reflects the combination of dietary and physical activity changes often recommended for healthy weight management.
Sonko’s comments come as Kenya continues to face growing concerns around non-communicable diseases and lifestyle-related health risks.
The World Health Organisation says overweight and obesity are influenced by several factors, including diet, physical activity, genetics and wider environmental conditions. It recommends healthy eating and regular physical activity as part of prevention and management.
Kenya’s national guidelines also recommend that healthy adults aged 18 to 64 engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity.
