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Kidero: Sonko is incompetent and unfit to lead Nairobi


Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero has taken a swipe at his opponent Mike Sonko saying that he is incompetent and unfit to lead the county.

Addressing the media at Karasani in Nairobi on Thursday after being cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to defend his seat in the August polls, Dr Kidero said Sonko had failed as a Senator.

“I do not think he ever made even a single contribution when he was in the Senate. So, if he could not manage the senate, then what makes him think he can manage being a governor of this city?”, Dr Kidero said.

“I was a little bit surprised by the President of Kenya when he endorsed somebody who by all means and any means would not fit the bill of being hired,” he added.

Dr Kidero also claimed that Mr Sonko could not be trusted with running a city which contributes more than 60 per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product when he could not fight for the same county that he now wanted to govern to get more allocation from the national government.

COUNTY REVENUE

Governor Kidero added that the national government only gives the county Sh12 billion annually which translates to Sh3,000 per head while the national per capita dictates that it should be at Sh8,000.

He also said that the same government owed the county Sh72 billion through unpaid land at Embakasi garrison amounting to Sh63 billion and Sh9 billion accruing from parking fees and when he petitioned the government, Mr Sonko never appeared during the discussion of the petition.

“Our main competitor was a senator in Nairobi and senators are supposed to work for the good of the county. They are supposed to optimize revenue for the county. The national per capita or the revenue per head nationally is Sh8,000 but Nairobi only gets Sh3,000. Why did he not fight for Nairobi County to get its due right if he is that competent?” Dr Kidero posed.

He poured cold water on the entry of former National Assembly speaker Kenneth Marende into the governorship race terming it inconsequential while also chiding the recent unveiling of former footballer Dan Shikanda by Peter Kenneth as his running mate.

Dr Kidero exuded confidence in his chances come August 8 saying he had undertaken to do his campaigns with decorum and dignity respecting all and respecting everybody as required by the IEBC.

FREE AND FAIR

He however asked the commission to be independent and not take orders from ‘above’ and let the election be free and fair.

“The race is on and the other party better be prepared. We wish them well and the decision is in the hands of the people,” he said.

He added: “I’m a very proud man because I have got one of the best deputy governors anyone would ever have. We have worked with him harmoniously and that is why I’m very happy to run with him again to complete the projects we started.”

On his part, deputy governor Jonathan Mueke asked Nairobi residents to judge them by their scorecard and give them another five years to complete the projects they have initiated which have contributed in the transformation of the city.

“The scorecard is there, it is very clear. Mothers can now take their children to school through the ECD classes we have built. Businesses are able to operate up to midnight. Healthcare has been improved by building hospitals and new maternity wings in Mutwini, Mbagathi and Dandora health center,” said Mr Mueke.