Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has detailed how he tricked Elvis Opiyo, the suspect in the acid attack on gospel singer Claire Mary, into coming out of hiding. Opiyo was arrested on March 22 and arraigned in court on March 23. Claire Mary remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Gospel singer Claire Mary, a member of the Redemption Ministers SDA choir, was ambushed on March 17 near Prestige Plaza on Ngong Road in Nairobi and doused with acid. The incident was captured on surveillance cameras, leaving her with severe facial and body injuries. She is receiving specialised treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Her estranged partner of eight years, Elvis Opiyo, stands accused of orchestrating the attack by hiring an assailant after she ended their relationship. Opiyo, who claims to work for the National Intelligence Service (NIS), was arrested on Sunday, March 22, after former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko arranged a ruse to lure him to Nairobi. In an X post on March 24 following a visit to Claire Mary at the hospital, Sonko stated: “We managed to arrest him on Sunday. We tricked him by lying to him to come to Nairobi, and that’s how we made the arrest. So, justice will be served.” He added: “Elvis Opiyo says that he works for the NIS. Even if so, he is not above the law; no one sent him to come and burn you with acid. We will deal with him.” Investigations show Claire had reported Opiyo to police in November 2025 for assault and death threats, including an incident on November 25, 2025. Opiyo was arraigned at Kibera Law Courts on March 23. Sonko has pledged to provide top lawyers, cover legal fees, and hospital bills.
