[PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Nairobi gubernatorial aspirants tore into each other in a heated Monday discussion as each attempted to win the hearts of voters to choose them in the August 8 polls.
In a debate hosted at the Daystar University and aired live on KTN, Evans Kidero, Mike Sonko, Peter Kenneth and Miguna Miguna were tasked to explain their vision for the city county.
The hawker menace, matatu troubles and the lack of social amenities including water and markets were key in the battle for the best governor.
Kidero was put to task to explain the perception that City Hall charges higher taxes compared to services the residents in return enjoy from the remittances.
He defended his administration and said it has streamlined the revenue collection process in the county.
He said that under his watch, the county has seen a reduction in the cost of doing business in the city.
He argued that Nairobi has since inception cut trading licences and then reduced fees charged on matatus.
"All the fees charged by the county are passed by the county assembly through a public participation process," Kidero said.
But Miguna did not wait to challenge the governor's words.
"Poor people are crying to earn a living. The small scale traders are also facing threats posed by an uncontrolled city inspectorate which threatens their lives," Miguna said.
Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth argued that the governor had not done it right since there were aspects of licensing that still need to be relooked.
"Revenue charged by the current administration has pushed the cost of business higher. We need a balance between growing business and the revenue appetite," he said.
On how to deal with the hawker manace, Miguna said he intends to build modern markets for these traders and crack the whip on the rogue inspectorate officials.
However, the governor defended his government saying that they are already working on the problem.
"We have started works to decongest Wakulima market. We are also building a modern market at Kariokor and will also set up a trading hub for hawkers in Eastlands," he said.
In his part, Sonko argued that Nairobi has had the hawker menace as a result of market land set aside for the traders being grabbed.
"My first assignment will be to repossess the grabbed lands in Eastleigh, Mwariro among other areas that the hawkers were dispossessed of," the legislator said.