Sonko, Igathe storm county cash office, find Sh7 million

Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko read the riot act to county officers after he found Sh7 million in a drawer in the city county’s cash office on Wednesday.

The governor made an impromptu visit a day after his Deputy Polycarp Igathe toured the office and raised his concerns over its operations.

Mr Sonko, who was acting after a tip-off, was accompanied by Mr Igathe and other county officers. He wondered why the money had not been banked yet it was collected the previous day.

“Under my watch, City Hall has ceased to be anyone’s cash cow,” Governor Sonko declared.

“We shall streamline revenue collection and management in line with the Public Finance Management Act and guarantee efficient and timely service delivery to all residents.”

DEMANDED EXPLANATION

The city county boss demanded an explanation on why all cheques collected on Tuesday had been banked but the cash was yet to be deposited in the bank, which is just 50 metres away.

A source at the cash office told the Nation that a day’s collections should be banked by 9 am the following day.

However, it was a busy day for the new boss as he held a series of other meetings with the chief officers in a bid to familiarise himself with their activities.

The officers made presentations on the 10 sectors under them.

At a meeting with Matatu Owners Association (MOA) officials later, Mr Sonko told the delegation that he will work with transport stakeholders to bring sanity in the sector.

ADDRESSING ISSUES

He promised to embark on addressing issues that they raised – ranging from parking fees, impounding fees, parking slots, harassment by county officers and congestion.

He said impounding fees was illegal and the seasonal parking was too high as he promised amendments to the Finance Act once the County Assembly resumes sittings.

The county government will also establish “diametric routing” to ease flow of traffic.

MOA agreed to help the county in restructuring drop-off and pick-up points for passengers—especially on Moi Avenue, Tom Mboya Street, Ronald Ngala Street and River Road.

The governor has also promised to review fees for the country bus park.

He said the county government will also establish a broad transport committee board that will include hawkers, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the police, among other stakeholders.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

“I will be consulting with the stakeholders on a different occasion in a bid to end traffic congestion and also check on the welfare of the matatu sector and operations,” said Mr Sonko. “We shall establish a centralised control system to reduce waiting times.”

Governor Sonko also said his office will study reports such as the Nairobi Decongesting Committee Report for implementation.

MOA chairman Simon Kimutai said the lobby will organise the public transport industry and say how they want it run.

“The governor will improve this sector, I can assure you,” said Mr Kimutai. “He has been in the sector and knows it very well.”