NYS projects were political launch-pads, says Kidero

Nairobi Governor Dr. Evans Kidero on Wednesday took a veiled swipe at former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, accusing her of using the suspended National Youth Service (NYS) projects to launch her race for Governorship.

Kidero claims the projects that targeted some of the city’s poorest neighbourhoods were nothing more than a political gimmick to win votes in next year’s General Elections.

“The NYS project was supposed to be a national project, but it was hijacked by politics,” said Kidero.

He was speaking during the launch of a revamped mortuary and incinerators at Mbagathi Hospital where he used Waiguru’s own words to castigate her over the projects that were, however, suspended as a corruption storm hit her Ministry.

Waiguru resigned under a cloud of allegations that she presided over a scandal in which the country lost more than 700 million shillings.

“My track record speaks for itself, after working for government my experiences, the Governorship is not a problem,” said Waiguru.

Kidero said: “Just like I said, NYS was being used a launch-pad for politics, it is coming to pass.”

Waiguru has not openly declared her interest in the seat. On Sunday, however, she hinted that she is consulting over the matter, having started meeting youth and women groups in Nairobi.

“I’m still widely consulting and in due time I will make my decision because the seat is not one you appoint yourself but you got to listen to the people,” said Waiguru.

More than 500 days to the ballot, battle lines now appear drawn for the race to lead Kenya’s top county in terms of revenues and influence.