Uhuru Throws Jabs at Sonko Over Pathetic Status of Nairobi

President Uhuru Kenyatta Wednesday called out the leadership of Nairobi County over the dilapidated state of the City, in an event where Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was in attendance.

Speaking during the launch of the much-awaited Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report at the Bomas of Kenya, Uhuru noted that misappropriation of resources is one of the factors contributing to the lack of development in the country, using Nairobi as an example.

The head of state wondered why, despite the Sonko-led devolved unit being deemed the richest in the country, residents continue to wallow in poverty, with the majority of wealth being in the possession of a few individuals.

President Uhuru Kenyatta with Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko during a past event.

Hata kama huo utajiri upo hapa Nairobi, upo mikononi mwa wananchi wangapi (Even if that wealth is here in Nairobi, how many people actually have access to it)?” an agitated Uhuru ranted.

He pointed out the fact that Nairobians have to rise early and work all day for meagre wages, which are not always guaranteed.

“Hii mji kuna wenzetu ambao wanaamka kila siku kwenda kutafuta kibarua cha shilingi mia moja hamsini kila siku, na hajui kama atapata (in Nairobi we have residents waking up daily to look for work that pays Ksh 150, work which is not even guaranteed),” the President said.

He went ahead to express concern over the continued lack of clean water for city residents, and the fact that some people still have to use flying toilets in this day and age.

He also highlighted the lack of education opportunities for Nairobi children, whose families are so poor that they cannot afford basic items, like school uniforms.

The Jubilee leader blamed all these woes on poor allocation of resources, speculating that the resources have been going into the pockets of leaders, and not the deserving citizens.

Governor Sonko has been on the spotlight over the past few weeks for alleged corrupt dealings at City Hall, with the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) alleging that he has received up Ksh39 million in kickbacks from companies seeking to conduct business with the County.

He is also accused of awarding tenders, such as garbage disposal, to companies that secretly belong to him.

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