The ‘king’ of Nairobi is naked, but sees only shadows and cartels following him

Matisyahu is a Jewish-American singer who is inspired by Judaism. His best known song, “King Without A Crown”, was released in 2004. Here are some of its lyrics:    

 You are a slave to yourself and you don’t even know;

want to live the fast life but your brain moves slow; 

If you’re trying to stay high, bound to stay low;

You wan’t God but you can’t deflate your ego.

With his wobbly crown, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko only sees shadows – and cartels. A big shadow that looms everywhere is his predecessor, Evans Kidero. Garbage? Ask Kidero, and the cartels. Potholes? Ask Kidero and the cartels. Kidero and the cartels are to blame for everything in this sinking, stinking city.

Then there is Interior PS Karanja Kibicho. This is the man Sonko claims is fighting him, and even wanting to kill him. Kibicho is a powerful man all right, but his docket has nothing to do with garbage collection or upgrading roads.

GARBAGE COLLECTION

Sure, he decides who gets how many police bodyguards, and when to withdraw them. Their purpose is not to pick garbage or clear the traffic mess. If you stuck to your job without throwing tantrums, I am sure he wouldn’t notice you.

My only sister, who is averse to politics of any kind, sent me a puzzled text when she learned Sonko had nominated Miguna Miguna as his deputy governor (DG). She can smell many things, especially a rogue appointment. More than anything, she hates sick jokes. Before I could consider the matter, she gave one piece of wisdom: Respect people; respect the electorate who elected you. It doesn’t look like Sonko is showing much respect for his voters.

I am sure Miguna won’t become the DG. The first obstacle is the Nairobi County Assembly, who must approve. There are other obstacles right up the chain, and they get more formidable the higher you go. If Sonko thinks he can push this through, he is not a smart chap as I believed. If he is playing political games pitting the rival Jubilee camps, then he has lost it.

There are real people down here who want a workable and livable city, and they will not be amused by games.

POPULAR

Sonko has been enormously popular in the city. But his queer behaviour is stretching this goodwill to its limits. As an MP, Sonko was harmless – just another city politician paid to yap. Even as a senator there was not much damage he could do. As a governor, this is no longer the case. His (in)actions can inflict real pain to those who live and work in the city. Nairobi is not some kind of Garba Tula or Keroka or Kilgoris. It is the seat of government, and also the business and commercial capital of the region.

The central government would be negligent in its duty if it did not take an active role in the running of the city.

That is what Sonko resents, and being told who should be his DG. The national government has muscled its way into City Hall affairs through a cast of Cabinet Secretaries led by Najib Balala, which goes by the name City Regeneration Committee. Their brief is to tackle waste collection and recarpeting of roads.

PICKING FRIENDS

These CSs have not been seconded by Kibicho. Sonko should know the actual person he is fighting with.

Uhuru Kenyatta bears responsibility for this clueless Sonko governorship. Even though he initially wanted former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth for that office, he allowed himself to get carried away by the mass enthusiasm Sonko’s campaign generated. He was eager to tap into it for his own re-election.

The picture he created enjoying nyama choma with Sonko at Kenyatta market is not of somebody good at picking friends.

Miguna has played coy over the job offer, though his reasons are not yours or mine. He is not daft not to know when he is being fronted as a pawn. Sonko, meanwhile, remains stuck with his shadows and cartels. Demons surround all around to bring me down to negativity. Matisyahu, again.

 Gitau Warigi is a socio-political commentator [email protected]