Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has revealed why the Jubilee government has great concern in Governor Mike Sonko’s administration.
This new revelation comes days after the Governor claimed in a recent interview with Citizen TV, that there was frustration from State House operatives.
Sonko alleged that there was “one person” in the national government who was out to pull his administration backwards.
On Sunday May 20, Senator Sakaja revealed that the city could not be left alone like other counties since it is a strategic point of administration to the entire country.
“Nairobi is too huge to be left alone. If the city is not working, it means Kenya is not working,” he said.
Although Sakaja expressed optimism that governor Sonko still had Nairobi residents’ issues at heart, he again called on the county boss to act aggressively on several key things that would see him attain his vision as displayed in his election campaign plan in 2017.
“It is too early to pass fatal judgement against Governor Sonko. [Impeaching him] will not work and if that comes in the Senate, we’ll not support any impeachment…it’s unfair. Let us give Sonko time and the support he needs,” Sakaja stated.
He clarified that the city boss was elected by a majority of Nairobians and the only right thing to do was to give him the support he deserves.
The Senator said Article 189 and 190 of the constitution gives a provision for structured relations between the national government and the county administration. According to him, this constitutional provision will offer a clear direction on how the national government and the county government need to work for better service delivery. He told Sonko to operationalize urban areas and cities act.
He said: “Nairobi wants drainage fixed, roads operable, and jobs for young people, water, let’s just deal with issues.”
He claimed that there was a tact to indulge in much politics at the expense of working and delivering to the residents of the Capital.
The Senator further conveyed that the formation of Nairobi regeneration team does not mean Sonko was incapable. This, according to Sakaja, is part of the national government efforts to support the devolved unit.
In a recent and worrying claim, governor Sonko said his life was in danger. He singled out Karanja Kibicho as the main man from the national government who was out to scuttle his work in the capital.
Registering his concern that insecurity was a key threat in the city, Senator Sakaja said; “One of the biggest issues that is facing the people of Nairobi is security. Sonko’s claims must be taken seriously.”
He however said the two (Kibicho and Sonko) needed to work together.
“We have to avoid talking about people but issues. Nairobians want services and they want to feel safe.”
Another reality that piles more worries than hope came about when the senator denied Sonko has reached out to him on the recent developments in the city.
Recently, Sonko’s deputy governor appointment elicited mixed reactions from top Jubilee leaders, a display that the two ends were not in good books. Whereas the governor expressed his satisfaction that Miguna Miguna fit the bill as his deputy, the ruling party – Jubilee- said he ought to have consulted President Uhuru Kenyatta first. A section of leaders including Jubilee MCAs in Nairobi too stated that Miguna’s nomination defied the party modus operandi.
There has been a wild concern that the governor had proved to be incompetent to handle the city. Most of his campaign promises banking on his Let’s Fix Nairobis slogan are yet to see the light of the day. In a grave fashion, critics of the Nairobi County boss see him as a sideshow champ who is out to blame everyone for his mess.
Part of the critical components that Nairobi residents lament greatly about include poor garbage management, poor road connection and wanting drainage systems.
Of this, the governor has admitted there’s need to improve. However, he recently decried the ongoing rains to be a hindrance to the repair of roads and drainage system. He said there was no need to waste public funds in conducting repairs during the current rainy season.