The much publicized and once Nairobi most visible Sonko Rescue Team is now a non-profit organisation.

Nairobi Senator, Mike Sonko who is gunning to unseat Dr. Evans Kidero last week registered the outfit as non-profit organisation.

NGOs Coordination Board executive director, Fazul Mahamed certified the registration on May 4, in line with section 10 of the NGOs Act.

Mike Sonko launched the team early 2015 to offer Nairobi residents services including ambulance, hearse, breakdown, wedding transport, water, security and emergency response.

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The services later extended to some other parts of the country.

However with time the rescue team attracted severe criticism as the incumbent governor accused him of running a parallel county government outside the law.

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Some of his team members were also accused of operating with impunity and disregarding traffic laws as well as being unruly since they enjoyed the protection of the senator.

Nairobi county Environment executive Evans Ondieki once termed the rescue a PR gimmick with unqualified members.

“He is just empty-headed. Whatever he does is showbiz. He waits until there is a disaster and brings people in uniform who stand at a scene and do nothing. That is deception,” Ondieki said.

The senator has however maintained he is only interested in helping the people. He for instance offered free medical camps across the city when doctors went on strike on December 5, 2016.

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The team's entourage which includes a Land Cruiser, Limousine, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and a Hammer some in Gold colour always attracted a spectacle whenever it moved from one destination to another.

Sonko trounced his bitter rival, former Gatanga MP, Peter Kenneth in the recent Jubilee nominations to be declared the party’s flag bearer in the upcoming August polls for Nairobi governor’s race.