Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko has outlined his agenda for Kenya’s capital city in his first 100 days in office if he is elected to be the next Governor of the populous county.
The Jubilee Party nominee has promised to review some of the policies that his rival Evans Kidero has introduced, adding that he will do away with trade licenses for small-scale traders and reduce land rates in the city if he succeeds to oust Kidero.
“In my first 100 days in office, I will abolish permits for mama mboga and hawkers and also reduce land rates,” the senator said promising to give Governor Evans Kidero a run for his money.
The flamboyant senator picked Vivo Energy CEO Polycarp Igathe to be his running mate, in an apparent effort to pacify the elite, who have constantly doubted Sonko’s ability to run East Africa’s largest city.
He further revealed that he would reduce land rates and eliminate any fee paid by the traders who operate from shades owned by City Hall.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, have constantly expressed their wish to win the Nairobi governor’s seat, with Ruto attending Sonko’s unveiling of Igathe on Wednesday.
But NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga dismissed Ruto’s endorsement to Sonko adding that they will not let Jubilee win the covered seat.
“Jogoo wa shamba haliwiki mjini. We will make sure that Jubilee does not win in Nairobi. County governments have not done much because a lot of money has been retained at the national level,” said Raila.
Nairobi governor Evans Kidero laughed off Jubilee attempts to dethrone him, adding that Sonko’s running mate Igathe was a project.
“The issue of (Nairobi) governorship has really disturbed and bothered the Jubilee team but they have tried many projects that have failed. This is the last project and I know they will still fail,” he said.
He added: “To circumvent Sonko’s weakness they had to pick Igathe, who has an illustrious career. I am sure Nairobians will give us another chance to finish our projects.”
Sonko promised that he will soon be unveiling his manifesto to the people of Nairobi. “My manifesto is being worked on and we will outline the methods and the road map to transform Nairobi,” he said.
