- Sakaja also urged Nairobi residents to shun tribalism and not to consider any political aspirants based on ethnic considerations.
- Nairobi generates 3,000 metric tonnes of waste in a day and most of it goes to the Dandora dumpsite
Image: Johnson Sakaja
Kenya Kwanza Alliance Nairobi governor aspirant Senator Johnson Sakaja and deputy governor nominee Njoroge Muchiri have promised to create an orderly city if elected on August 9.
The duo has also pledged a handful of goodies to Nairobi residents.
Sakaja pledged to disburse Sh50 million per year to each of the 85 wards in Nairobi to facilitate small businesses.
“Nairobi's budget is more than Sh35 billion every year and it cannot be impossible to allocate some of this money to promote mama mboga and other small traders in the spirit of the UDA bottom-up philosophy,” he said at a church service at the African Inland Pentecostal Church of Africa, Dandora.
Sakaja also pledged to prioritise the construction of a recycling plant at the Dandora dumpsite.
“Garbage menace in Nairobi has been a problem in the past two governments. If elected, my administration will ensure that plans commence to set up a recycling plant that will turn the waste to energy," he said.
Nairobi generates 3,000 metric tonnes of waste in a day and most of it goes to the Dandora dumpsite, which has been full for years and is not sustainable.
Dandora dumpsite was officially opened in 1975 with World Bank funds, and was considered full in 2001.
In a move to get rid of the dumpsite, last year the Nairobi Metropolitan Services, led by director general Mohamed Badi and KenGen, signed an MoU to set up an energy plant.
The initial site of the project was Dandora dumpsite. However, it was noted that it was in the aviation flight path.
Instead, NMS will set up a Sewerage Treatment Plant Facility at Ruai following the approval of the project's feasibility study.
Speaking at the same event, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya appealed to Sakaja to address the dumping and burning of garbage in Dandora within his first year as governor.
“People here have been suffering from respiratory diseases for decades and this cannot go on. It pains me so much and it will be your responsibility to bring an end to this menace,” Gakuya said.
The gubernatorial hopeful also pledged to implement a school feeding programme for all public primary schools in the city.
Sakaja said he was saddened by the number of children who cannot afford a square meal at home, which affects their concentration and ability to learn.
He also urged Nairobi residents to shun tribalism and not to consider any political aspirants based on ethnic considerations.
“The potholes in Nairobi do not affect the Luos only, uncollected garbage is not a problem of the Kikuyus only, insecurity does not affect Somalis only. We should elect leaders who have Nairobians at heart, not who are from our tribes,” he said.
Even before he was declared as Kenya Kwanza’s gubernatorial aspirant, Sakaja had said his campaign strategy would involve meeting the residents of Nairobi on the ground, and listening to the changes they recommend.
Last month, Deputy President and Kenya Kwanza presidential aspirant William Ruto announced UDA would field Sakaja as its aspirant for Nairobi governor seat.
This was after Bishop Margaret Wanjiru withdrew her bid in favour of Sakaja to run for the Senate seat.
Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga got the Woman Representative ticket, locking out primaries for the three positions.
They will now face Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Alliance Coalition Nairobi lineup in the August polls.
Jubilee’s Polycarp Igathe is the coalition’s gubernatorial flagbearer and will be deputised by former Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki, who is from the Kalonzo Musyoka-led Wiper party.
ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna was handed the senatorial ticket, while incumbent Esther Passaris will fly the Woman Representative flag.
(edited by Amol Awuor)