Mike Sonko’s Inauguration: New Nairobi County Governor Promises A Revitalized City

Security was heavy in Nairobi as the who is who in Kenya’s capital city graced Mike Sonko’s inauguration.

In attendance was President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries. Other elected leaders in Nairobi were present as well as Members of the Diplomatic Corps and the general public.

Read Also: Mike Sonko’s Nairobi Manifesto: Free Health Cover, Clean Environs Among Promises Made

In his speech, Mike Sonko first thanked God, his family and then the people of Nairobi for their support. He talked about Nairobi’s history with it being one of the most developed cities in Africa and the world.

“At independence, we started off well as a city. Well-maintained roads, beautiful public parks, walkways, and lawns were the hallmark of Nairobi,” said the new Governor.

“Our streets and estates were clean. We had sufficient, affordable water supply for all our residents. Our health facilities had enough doctors, nurses and other support staff, and they never ran out of medical supplies. Our schools were clean and sufficient for our children. We had enough and safe playgrounds for our children.”

He, however, noted that all these were now things of the past as the city and its future was lost to corrupt cartels that have robbed residents of basic services and amenities.

“Today, Nairobi is dirtier than it has ever been. Open sewers and mounds of garbage have become common sights in almost every corner of the city.”

“Large potholes and blocked drainage systems are today synonymous with Nairobi. Understaffed health facilities that lack proper equipment and adequate medical supplies are what our residents have to put up with every day.”

“Criminal gangs operating under the City Inspectorate have been terrorizing our residents and the business community. Impunity by the county public officers has become the hallmark of services delivery in Nairobi. Our traders have been harassed and abused by the same people mandated with protecting them and their businesses,” he added.

Sonko said it was unacceptable for all these atrocities to continue in Kenya’s capital city which brings together Kenyans from all tribes, races, and religions. The former businessman then declared his promise to eradicate it all.

“I, therefore, stand before you today to declare that the old Nairobi has finally come to an end. Today we join our hands to embark on a journey to fix a city that has badly been broken down, to a cleaner, greener, healthier and wealthier city.”

See Also: Nairobi Governorship: Igathe Calls Himself ‘Mr. Fix It’ As Kidero Labels Him A Jubilee Project

The cheering crowd celebrated their new governor who had taken up the expenses to his inauguration.

Mike Sonko’s Inauguration budget which was at KSh25 million was rejected by the former senator who opted to personally finance the occasion as he is doing with the Sonko Rescue Team Nairobi clean up.

He directed that the money from the government for his inauguration be instead used to pay workers who were being owed.

Top notch East African artists performed at the event. Among them were gospel singer Ben Githae, Mr. Nice, and Sauti Sol. Others are Loise Kim, Kevin Bahati, Jemimah Thiong’o, Esther Wahome, Rose Muhando and Rufftone.