Governor Mike Sonko and Polycarp Igathe will not take Nairobians for granted and will restore the county's reputation as the city in the sun.
Sonko made this pledge on Monday during their inauguration at Uhuru Park in Nairobi. The Jubilee leaders have officially taken over ODM's Evans Kidero and Jonathan Mueke of Wiper.
Kidero,
President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto, Nairobi woman representative-elect Esther Passaris and her predecessor Rachel Shebesh
were among the guests at the ceremony.
Sonko said he will task his government with redeeming the city's image by putting an end to corruption, impunity and the garbage menace.
"I do not make promises that I cannot keep. My personal assurance is that Nairobi will never be the same again," he told a crowd that cheered.
"My administration will embark on cleaning the mess which has been left by the outgoing county government."
Nairobi residents at Uhuru Park during the swearing-in of Governor Mike Sonko and Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe, August 21, 2017. /JULIUS OTIENO
Noting Nairobi is the only city in the world with a National Park, Sonko said his vision is to attract investments and grow tourism.
He cited
open sewers and mounds of garbage as some of the common sights that must be done away with.
He added:
"We will deal with acute water shortages which have long become a way of life for many residents."
The new county chief also pledged to seal potholes and clear
blocked drainage systems "that are synonymous with Nairobi", as part of Operation Ng'arisha Jiji (clean the city), which is already underway.
NEW HOSPITALS, MORE EQUIPMENT
On health, Sonko said the county will ensure new facilities are constructed and that each one is sufficiently equipped.
"It is completely unacceptable that, today, a mother or a newborn child has a higher chance of dying at birth in Nairobi than in Mandera," he noted.
The county boss further promised to deal with criminal gangs and rogue askaris.
He warned county officials against harassing residents, hawkers in particular, as they eke
out a living at the capital.
"Impunity by the county's public officers has become the hallmark of service delivery in Nairobi."
Sonko, who made many other promises in his address, said the "old Nairobi has finally come to an end".
While emphasising he is the man for the job, he noted the people demonstrated their faith in him when they elected him Makadara MP, Senator and now Governor.
"I have never, and will never take the confidence you have in me for granted...We'll change [Nairobi] to a cleaner, greener, healthier and wealthier city."
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Deputy President William Ruto addresses Nairobi residents alongside new Governor Mike Sonko during his inaguration at Uhuru Park on August 21, 2017. /ENOS TECHE
"KIDERO HAS SHOWN LOVE FOR KENYA"
In his speech, President Uhuru Kenyatta
assured Sonko of his commitment to working with the county government in the transformation of the city.
"We will do this in job creation, cleaning the city, developing infrastructure and the many other projects set for Nairobi. You can count on us."
He also called on Kenyans to maintain peace and love and cautioned them against being misled on tribal lines.
The President lauded Kidero for accepting defeat and peacefully handing over to Sonko.
"I thank Dr Kidero because he has shown his love for Kenya and this is a show of true statesmanship."
Kidero congratulated Sonko and thanked Nairobian for giving him the chance to be their first county chief.
"It has been a humbling experience and all we can say is 'thank you, Nairobi'. I believe I leave Nairobi a better place than I found it given the tremendous growth," he said.
"Nobody should doubt Governor Sonko because he loves this city. This has been shown by our pushes, fights and exchanges in proving our worth."
The former Governor handed over the instruments of power to the incoming team and wished them well.
“Leaders come from God.
Today
Nairobi has marked democracy in the transfer of
power,” he said.
Igathe said he will work closely with his boss.
"I am humbled that we were elected by the majority and I pledge to work with my Governor. I also thank Dr Kidero and Mueke for accepting to hand over power peacefully."
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