Kidero, Sonko clash in radio debate

Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero has let down the people of the city as they have nothing to show in terms of development projects and improved service delivery even after billions pumped into the county coffers since advent of devolution in 2013, Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko said on Sunday.

The Nairobi County Senator Sonko was speaking during a public debate hosted by Radio Citizen pitting the two leading contenders for the governor’s seat.

According to the senator, Governor Kidero has failed to improve service delivery and  solve the problems facing Nairobi residents including the heavy traffic, shortage of clean water, garbage collection and massive corruption scandals that has led to lose of taxpayer’s money.

“I will beat you very early in the morning and when I do that I want to advise you: When you go to Homa Bay to be the governor there, please prioritize empowering the youth in your agenda,” said the Jubilee Party governor candidate Sonko.

But Dr Kidero launched a scathing attack on his competitor claiming that he did not know his mandate constitutionally as a senator and failed to work closely with county government in his oversight role.

“Senator Sonko was in a position to protect devolution and advocate for the increase of funds allocated to counties, but he failed completely as he did not table even a single bill to support devolution before the Senate.  Funds allocated to counties are not enough to deliver services. Even the national government still has county debts and Sonko was not ready to work with me,” said the ODM gubernatorial candidate.

The two, however, agreed to respect the will of the people in the polls.

Governor Kidero said that he will appoint Mike Sonko as the County Executive for Trade  while the senator took a swipe at the county boss, saying that the docket of corruption would befit him.