Sonko defends takeover of Nairobi County functions by National Govt

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Wednesday strongly defended the takeover of key Nairobi County functions by the National Government saying it is part of enhancing development and service delivery in the city.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive show, Sonko said that owing to the court order barring him from office and the vacancy in the deputy governor’s office, he decided to seek help from the national government in the delivery of services.

“The President means well for the people of Nairobi and I want them to continue enjoying services. I’m facing a corruption case but since there is no deputy governor, we didn’t want the cartels we have been weeding out to continue stealing county resources,” said Sonko.

HALF A GOVERNOR?
Gov. Mike Sonko: There is no back room deal between the President & I in handing some county functions to National Government. After all, I have a pending corruption case. Nobody forced me to sign any agreement #JKLive pic.twitter.com/cgnSvmP4Sg

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) March 4, 2020

He added that the best person to assist him in his mandate was President Uhuru Kenyatta since he has “portrayed great leadership.”

The Nairobi Governor maintained that there was no backroom deal between him and State House that led him to handover the key functions including County health services, county transport services, county planning and development services and lastly county public works and utilities.

The Governor maintained that previously there has been cooperation between Nairobi County and the National Government in development matters, therefore, the takeover should not raise eyebrows.

“We decided to put the welfare of Nairobi County residents first. There was no backroom deal. The president cares about the welfare of all Kenyans including the residents of Nairobi. And this is not the first engagement between the President and I. This was just the President showing goodwill,” added Sonko.

Sonko maintained that the transfer of the city county government functions was the best decision in light of the leadership crisis in the city.

“We would rather be assisted by National Government instead of having Nairobi run down by cartels. Even before the transfer of functions, the President had big 4 agenda that are in line with those functions,” he said.

Gov. Sonko: Before I was arrested Nairobi was clean. We would rather be assisted by National Government instead of having Nairobi run down by cartels. Even before the transfer of functions, the President had big 4 agenda that are in line with those functions #JKLive pic.twitter.com/YegmiUdHh5

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) March 4, 2020

He dismissed the assertion that he had failed as Governor of Nairobi County by handing over his functions, insisting that he was still in charge.

Sonko maintained that he made the decision to handover in line with the Constitution, rubbishing claims that the President favoured him by saving him from an imminent impeahcment.

“We should not politicize development matters… Handing over 4 out of 10 functions to the National Government does not mean I have failed as Governor. The President does not favour me; he is a genuine friend to any hardworking leader,” said Sonko

Mike Sonko, Nairobi Governor: Handing over 4 out of 10 functions to the National Government does not mean I have failed as Governor. The President does not favour me; he is a genuine friend to any hardworking leader #JKLive pic.twitter.com/0FikvQkhQj

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) March 4, 2020