THINGS SAKAJA WILL DO IN NAIROBI

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja officially took the oath of office on Thursday in a ceremony full of pomp and colour at KICC, effectively making him the capital’s new boss.

Being Nairobi’s fourth Governor within a period of 10 years, a stand-alone case in the nation, Sakaja has captured the attention of Kenyans as he becomes chief of the richest county that is set to receive over Ksh.19 billion in revenue allocation.

Together with his deputy Njoroge Muchiri, Sakaja vowed to – in his own words – ‘make Nairobi work’ and deliver it from the shackles of corruption cartels.

His swearing-in ceremony has now gotten Kenyans questioning his delivery tactics and capabilities, owing to the fact that his predecessors are perceived to have failed, with even one of them ousted leaving the administration of the city at the hands of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS).

And so, Citizen Digital takes a second look at Sakaja’s six-point manifesto, which he presented to Kenyans as what he believes will be able to transform the city into a global hub.

Dubbed ‘Let’s Make Nairobi work’, the strongly-worded 32-page manifesto focuses on four pillars of Order, Dignity, Hope and Opportunity, that have further been narrowed down to six key agenda points of the Sakaja-Muchiri administration.

A city of order

In his key point, Sakaja’s manifesto focuses on four main areas: providing healthy lunches for all learners in public primary schools; decentralizing the city into five boroughs for focused service delivery for citizens; create a working Universal Health Care (UHC); and efficient mobility.

In regard to pioneering a feeding programme for the 205 public primary schools with a total enrolment of about 193,058 students across the city, Sakaja says this will solve the low transition challenge since – according to him – about 65% of parents from vulnerable households can afford only one meal a day.

On decentralizing the city into five boroughs, Sakaja’s manifesto entails how he will cluster Nairobi into North, East, West, South and Central administration blocks to ensure ease of access to public services and management.

He outlines that his administration will prioritise on providing quality healthcare through implementing an Integrated Hospital Information Management System (IHIMS) and health financing such as settling KEMSA debt to facilitate the supply of medicine.

In his fourth plan to bring order to the capital, Sakaja and Muchiri promise to restore decency in public transport by decongesting the CBD, constructing footpaths, proper covered drainage and building a city metro commuter light rail, among other related ways.

A city of Dignity

The former Senator seeks to deliver clean and safe water for all households, affordable and decent housing, and clean and green Nairobi for all residents without favour.

Sakaja’s manifesto also commits to ensuring city dwellers are treated the same; are respected and are looked upon by the county government with dignity and honour.

Handling waste menace across the county, Sakaja says will be done by developing water infrastructure by unblocking water and sewerage projects as well as addressing the distribution of water in underserved and non-served areas.

Furthermore, e-waste handling and disposal of waste are among the ways Sakaja hopes to ensure the City is clean.

In dealing with land ownership and tenancy, the Sakaja administration vows to focus on ending demolitions without notice and the provision of alternative settlements.

A city of opportunity

In this pillar which focuses on prospering residents, Sakaja says his administration would build 20 new markets around the city to accommodate over 543 hawkers, deliver a digital unified single business permit and implement Ksh 50 million biashara fund per ward.

In addition, Sakaja leadership will also see full implementation of the 30 per cent AGPO programs.

A city of inclusivity

The pillar consists of catering for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), gender balance and dealing with the less fortunate in society, especially street children.

Sakaja reassures that his tenure will pilot programs of social support for children with special needs, including the needs of women and people with disabilities in all planning and programmes and have Gender-sensitive and other programmes.

Sports and talents

With a focus on providing the youth with opportunities to improve their livelihoods, Sakaja believes that revamping sports, creative arts, and talents will be able to provide an environment that nurtures, grows, and monetizes their talents.

Sakaja-Muchiri, therefore, commit to initiating an annual “Sakaja” Cup tournament together with an annual Nairobi Festival in December that will showcase the city and host an all-sports inclusive fund and also deliver sports centres in all sub-counties.

They also promise to lobby for improved royalty payments to content creators and lobby for 60% play time for local content on TVs.

A city of hope

After fulfilling his promises in the detailed 32-page manifesto, Sakaja and Muchiri believe that Nairobi will inspire residents for a better future.

“Every Kenyan wants the same thing; to go about their lives peacefully, make something out of themselves and guarantee their children a future – HOPE,” he states.
He adds: “We must create a city of Order and Dignity, Hope and opportunity for all in Nairobi. We can do it. We must do it. Let’s Make Nairobi Work.”