Key issues Kidero will tackle if he beats Sonko

Governor Evans Kidero is defending his seat against arch rival Mike Sonko.

If he wins a second term in office, the former Mumias CEO will make some drastic changes as compared to his first tenure.

In an effort to fight corruption allegations which marred his first term, Kidero has promised to address key issues if he gets a second term in office.

P Live

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Unemployment

Nairobi is ranked among the top cities with high unemployment rates in a country where joblessness is prevalent among the youth.

In a bid to solve this problem, Kidero, in his manifesto, pledged to provide an enabling environment for business to grow the economy (7 per cent annum) in order to create more jobs and encourage domestic and foreign investment.

Corruption

The Auditor General’s report stated that the Kidero administration could not account for up to Sh20 billion in the 2014 financial year. The report also found that Sh11.4 billion listed under revenue receipts was illegally banked in the county’s bank accounts and not transferred to the County Revenue Fund Account.

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It will be quite a task for the Governor, who in his manifesto stated that anti-corruption bodies will be strengthened and corrupt officials will be arrested and held liable by the state.

Health

Kidero has made strides in improving healthcare with 27 per cent of Nairobi County Budget going to improvement of health care services. He states that the government will emphasize more on improving public hospital services and hiring more medical staff as the sector is understaffed.

However, his biggest headache will be the managing waste which is being dumped everywhere around the city.

Education

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The Governor will look to improve the quality of education by, among other things, attracting and retaining skilled teachers through better remuneration and develop accountability within the education system.

Security

For a city where the issue of insecurity has been a headache for the past few years, Kidero plans to implement a ‘zero-tolerance anti-crime strategy’ where he will strengthen all police units, ensure heavier sentences, and encourage community participation in crime prevention.

Other key issues that he’ll also need to focus on include housing and land, the perennial water shortage as well as traffic congestion in the city.