Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has announced plans to hire former boxing champion Conjestina Acheing as security and training head in his various establishments.
Sonko made the statement on Twitter in response to Carol Radull, a sports journalist who had shared photos of Conjestina’s rehabilitation at a Mombasa rehabilitation center.
Sonko stated that he will not allow Conjestina to return to Siaya, where she was living in deplorable conditions before he intervened and took her to the rehabilitation center. He stated that he has prepared a good plan for her in which she will also be paid.
“She will be the overall assistant head of security and head of all female bouncers at Club Volume Mombasa at night & during peak hours/holidays. She will also serve as the head trainer in all the gyms in our establishments (Salama Bling Beach Resort, Kimeremeta Safari Lodge, etc…). As a long-term measure, we are intending to open for her a boxing training center where she will be coaching boxing,” Sonko tweeted.
Conjestina, a renowned former boxer who was the first African woman to capture an international title, has battled mental illness and drug addiction for many years. With minimal assistance from the government or the boxing association, she has been admitted and discharged from hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
Sonko, a controversial politician and philanthropist, has been one of her supporters ever since he flew her to Nairobi for medical attention in 2018. He has also been covering the cost of her care and medication at the rehab facility in Mombasa.
“Eight months in the center in Mombasa and my girl Conjestina Achieng looks so good! Work in a gym awaits her upon completion where she will be training young boxers. Thank you Mike Sonko. We never give up! Charltone Otieno, thanks for sharing Mum’s pics and allowing me to use them,” Radull tweeted.