Despite hurdles, Nairobi’s on the right track

A strong county government depends on its economic muscle to overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles. How to generate that muscle is the challenge.

As the country’s centre of economic, political and financial activity, Nairobi is a magnet for entrepreneurs. So one of its strategies must be to offer an environment that supports business and workers. It can invite people from other counties to invest and work in its dynamic sectors.

Doomsayers will no doubt be quick to caution that our new political dispensation of county-centric lenses has diminished our sense of nationhood. True. At times, we seem to be counties apart.

However, it is also true that Kenyans love one another. Unfortunately, our politicians want to incite us to take up arms against the so-called “outsiders” labelled “foreigners” — in their own country, mind you!

Our leaders need to understand that development will only come when we extend political goodwill and allow all and sundry to visit, live and work freely in any county.

If we can say No to primitive politics, we shall have taken a giant step forward in our development. Kenya simply has no place for the lunacy that drove citizens to the edge of the precipice during the post-election violence.

At the county level, Nairobi still needs to deal with the problem of congestion; the more a place looks and feels attractive, the more it lures those seeking greener pastures.

If all the other 46 counties could create jobs and opportunities, they might significantly decongest the capital. Establishing the right environment for inter-county and intra-county trade to flourish becomes, then, another strategy that might help reduce immigration into Nairobi and thereby ease the pressure on service in all key sectors of the economy.

WINNING STRATEGIES

Such an eventuality might just give Nairobi’s current master plan a chance to make an impact in the lives of the county’s residents. The plan contains what looks like winning strategies, with the greatest focus on health and education.

For instance, every primary school with ample land is slated for construction of a secondary school. And while the proposed projects may not be completed during the current governor’s tenure, his successors should carry on with his legacy.

The county must also support the Jua Kali sector. It has many men and women productively and profitably engaged.

Two years is too short a time to judge Governor Evans Kidero or the national government. The county leadership is working hand in hand with the national government and constituency leadership on projects such as the Kibera infrastructure renewal. It is encouraging that the same prototype project will be duplicated in other slums.

To the governor’s credit, we have seen improvements in delivery of various services. The county government is providing water in the slums at cheaper rates. Garbage collection and maintenance of water and sewer lines are picking up.

In addition, the introduction of e-payment of parking fees has streamlined revenue collection, and issuing of licences now takes minimal time.

As we bemoan our lot, it is even better when we can suggest solutions.

Mr Kongo is a former Nairobi mayor and chairman of Nairobi City Council