NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 12- The second-tier debate of the two leading gubernatorial candidates for Nairobi City was held on Monday, when the two spared no minute to tear on each other’s character, in a spirited scramble for votes.
It was an intense debate that started as a monologue after United Democratic Alliance candidate Johnson Sakaja arrived late.
Sakaja claimed he did so to grant his competitor, “a headstart. He is used to it.”
On the podium, alone, was Jubilee party candidate Polycarp Igathe who started off by sharing his promise for the people of Nairobi, if elected Governor.
It was calm while it lasted.
“The most important thing is to understand your job,” Igathe said. “You must also love your people and be God-fearing.”
A bare Knuckle debate however started once Sakaja arrived, with his main rival throwing the first.
If elected, Igathe said he will run the city with dignity, unlike “people who go for interviews late.”
The most intense moments were around Sakaja’s qualification and specifically whether he’s a holder of a genuine degree certificate, Igathe’s resilience after he quit office after a brief stint as Nairobi Deputy Governor, and understanding of real issues affecting Nairobi.
“This is not Equity,” Sakaja told Igathe after he gave a largely scholarly response on how he would deal with the issues of Nairobi and more so on water, solid waste management, and housing.
“Nairobi needs a tough person,” Sakaja insisted. “You must be resilient.”
In his defence, Igathe said he quit office after 6 months as Deputy Governor after failing to earn the trust of his then-boss, Mike Sonko.
“I didn’t quit on the people of Nairobi,” Igathe, a top face in the corporate world said.
As an honest person, Igathe said, he did not want to earn a salary while doing no work to improve the lives of Nairobi residents.
Sonko was later impeached.
He had transferred most of his responsibilities to the military-led Nairobi Metropolitan Services.
While Igathe said he holds NMS with a lot of regard for starting major projects in Nairobi, Sakaja said it has had its hits and misses.
“If you didn’t resign, Nairobi would not have been under NMS,” Sakaja said.
Asked if he would wish NMS tenure extended under his rule, Sakaja said “I will do better as a Governor of Nairobi than NMS.”
Sakaja also accused Igathe of being a state project and banking on his degree controversy to be elected as a Governor.
“I am my own man,” Sakaja said in a rejoinder.
“Politics is too important to leave it to politicians alone.”
If elected Governor, Igathe said he will among other things tackle the menace of corruption within Nairobi County Government.
He claimed Nairobi’s total revenue collections are up to Sh200 million on a daily basis, but only a mere Sh40 million is accounted for.
To address this, he said he will have all forms of payment digitized.
Sakaja also promised to digitize all revenue collection points, “in a bid to reduce human interaction with cash.”
To streamline services, Sakaja said he will create five administrative areas under his office, with a clear chain of command.
But what about cartels?
Igathe claimed he knows the so-called cartels behind the massive loss of public money in Nairobi.
“It’s a clique of people who have choked the city,” Igathe said.
The said cartels, he said have taken over the procurement services in Nairobi, how payments of pending bills are done including management of solid waste.
A dismissive Sakaja said that “a lazy way” of thinking.
He accused Igathe of being financed by the same cartels.
“He is already being financed by the same cartels,” Sakaja said.
“Cartels is a weak excuse by politicians who fail to master the courage to deal with corruption. If you know them, name them.”
Seemingly, time was never enough for Sakaja during the debate and he kept on complaining.”
Igathe however said it’s because, “of lack of manners for people who have not concluded school.”
Sakaja promised to reform the inspectorate department by implementing their standing orders in a bid to improve their professionalism.
“There are no quick fixes or bandage solutions for Nairobi,” Sakaja said.
Igathe, on his part, promised to ensure the county delivers the most basic services to the people and more so to those living in informal settlement areas.
Kenyans will vote on August 9 for all elective positions.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
