Nairobi governor Mike Sonko at a past event. He has vowed to fight the pollution menace in Nairobi.  [PHOTO/Mike Sonko]

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Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has vowed to eradicate pollution in Nairobi city.

In a statement opening his "The Race to Beat Pollution" campaign, Sonko said environmental preservation was a thing he valued and would ensure remains a priority in his government.

Read his full speech:

THE FLAGGING OFF OF “THE RACE TO BEAT POLLUTION”

CITY HALL, NAIROBI  3RD DECEMBER 2017

 Protection of the environment remains a priority to my administration. A number of projects focusing on our environment are at the roll-out phase and these undertakings are, but not limited to reduction in air pollution, environmentally-related diseases, increased tree cover, open spaces and general landscaping around the city.

To achieve this, my administration is keen on collaborative approach with other partners and governmental agencies to enforce laws and policies that will protect our environment.

We take pride in UN having chosen Nairobi as its world headquarters for the two United Nations agencies: UNEP and UN Habitat. This has and continues to cement Nairobi City’s importance as a diplomatic and commercial hub in Africa.

I wish to welcome and applaud your unending support that you continue to give my administration for various activities and environmental programmes and this has had considerable impact on our environment.

In the past, Various parts of the city have experienced illegal dumping of solid waste. To this end my administration is keen on streamlining service delivery through competitive and open tender processes that will safeguard the integrity of our effort to making Nairobi clean again.

Ultimately, a long term solution will only be achieved through an integrated solid waste management strategy; and I am happy to report that Nairobi City County Government will achieve this in under five years. We will be visiting your offices for further deliberation on how effectively we shall deliver this to the people of Nairobi City and those visiting us.

In Conclusion, I look forward to partnering with you for the benefit of the wonderful residents of this great County. I hope your stay here has been of value and do take time off to visit some of our great tourist sites such as the Nairobi Nation park, which is the only park within a major city.

I Thank you.

H.E. MIKE MBUVI SONKO, EGH, GOVERNOR