Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko. [Photo| @MikeSonko]Below is the speech by Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko during the official opening of a workshop on the ward development fund and the budget making process for members of the county assembly on Thursday, January 18, 2018."SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY,DEPUTY SPEAKER,CLERK OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, LEADER OF MAJORITY,LEADER OF MINORITYMEMBERS OF THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY,LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,Good afternoon!
I am happy to join you at the start of this important workshop that will set the stage for the development of our beloved County. It is a great privilege that the Nairobi electorate has given us the opportunity to contribute towards their development and wellbeing.One of the pillars of my manifesto is to promote development in our wards. Our work as a County Government can only be realized through the investments we put into all our wards across the entire County. What Nairobians want is for us to fix roads, drainage systems and collect waste within our wards amongst others. It is only through the Ward Development Fund that we can realize all this. The essence of devolution was to bring decision making to the local level. Today, I once again undertake to ensure that devolution succeeds in our county. We can only achieve this if the County Executive and the County Assembly pull in the same direction. Ladies and gentlemen,
My administration has already advertised for garbage collection contracts which shall be transparently awarded at the Ward level to be managed by area MCAs. To ensure effective garbage collection, each ward shall be allocated a truck and necessary equipment. Youth groups within their respective wards are encouraged to bid to undertake garbage collection. My administration has sealed the most obvious loopholes that led to the loss of revenue. My administration will make every effort to have a city where water is safe, accessible, affordable and regular.For the first time in many years, staff salaries were paid before Christmas as promised and this was purely from our local revenues. Our January salaries shall also be paid next week.To deal with fictitious claims by dishonest cartels and fraudsters we have set up a team to vet, verify and validate all pending claims. I request all suppliers and members of the public to give us a little time to fast-track this process.My administration has approved car and mortgage facilities for MCAs, as per S.R.C guidelines. However, I am recommending that they secure these loans using their salaries as collateral, instead of log books and title deeds.Ladies and gentlemen,As the county executive, we will continually evaluate and finance prioritized projects. I call upon our MCAs to ensure public participation in your respective wards. We shall ensure quarterly evaluation of identified projects to ensure they are completed timely and in cost effective manner.It is worth noting that the previous administration initiated projects which were never completed. I have issued an executive order to the Executive Committee member in charge of Roads and Finance and Planning to carry out an audit of all Ward Development Fund projects for immediate completion once certified.Meanwhile, I have directed the Finance Department to release money bus terminus to help decongest the city.My government has also consistently released money due to the Assembly without delay every month.Under my administration I will hold wider consultations as required under the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act to ensure that concerns of all Nairobians are taken care of in the budget. I will closely work with Members of the Assembly to realize what I promised Nairobians.It is my humble pleasure to announce that the County Government shall release up to Sh400m towards the Ward Development Fund and I have authorized the immediate opening of the Ward Development Fund Account. In conclusion, I look forward to constructive and fruitful deliberations and assure you of my maximum cooperation in your efforts."