Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has promised MCAs goodies as he tries to pacify the opposition-controlled house to push through his agenda.
From creating ward development funds to the timely release of bursaries that are administered by grassroots lawmakers, the governor is on a mission to win the MCAs to his corner.
The city assembly is in the hands of the opposition Azimio coalition.
Speaker Ken Ng’ondi ruled last week that Azimio has a majority of 67 members compared to Kenya Kwanza’s 53 in the house.
The ruling preceded a leadership contest that saw the two coalition claim majority status in the assembly.
Pundits opine that with leadership and numbers on Azimio's side, the governor’s agenda could be in peril and hence has to appease them.
Sakaja told the legislators that he was going to be readily available and that the MCAs would be promptly helped if they needed any assistance from his office.
He said he would create a department in his office to exclusively handle MCAs' affairs, including promptly responding to their correspondences and queries and availing assistance to them in pursuing their interest.
Sakaja said he would partner with the MCAs in fulfilling their campaign promises, asking them to work with him.
“I have created a liaison office in my office and I have instructed executives that there will be no late replying to letters from MCAs,” he said.
He also said that he will ensure that the funds appropriated for wards will be disbursed on time to enable the politicians to succeed in fulfilling their agenda.
The governor said the bursary checks at the ward level will be issued to the MCAs at the start of every school term.
Sakaja said he will follow up to have the amount disbursed in form of bursaries enhanced to help the students better because there are more children per capita in Nairobi that in other counties.
He said he will involve the lawmakers in the school feeding programme through a project that will seek kitchens established in each of the 17 constituencies.
The programme will be dubbed Food for Kids.
Sakaja also called on Senator Edwin Sifuna to work with him for the benefit of Nairobians.
The ODM secretary general later took to his social media page, pledging a joint hand with the governor in the delivery of his mandate.
“At the official opening of the county assembly by Governor Johnson Sakaja this afternoon. We have agreed to work together. I will do my part from Senate to support the governor and the assembly in their duties and hope they deliver to our people,” Sifuna said.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
