Sonko only needs to look in the mirror to see the source of Nairobi’s problems

The prime crisis confronting Nairobians is not the garbage and accompanying stenches and eyesores pervading their estates, streets and Central Business District.

It is not that their alleys and pavements teem with pickpockets, robbers and violent rough-living street families. No, it is not that you can hire a goon or gun or both, or a goon with a gun, at City Hall. It is an out of depth Governor Gideon Mike Mbuvi alias Sonko. Here’s why.

One, as evidenced at last weekend’s Tree Planting Day, Sonko wants to own the power of governorship, but not the responsibility of tackling its myriad challenges. So he asked Nairobians, yet again, not to blame him, but his predecessor Dr Evans Kidero, for Nairobi’s ills.

Two, the Governor reminded President Kenyatta that for five years Treasury remitted billions to Dr Kidero’s City Hall for development and cleaning of Nairobi, but the money vanished into a bottomless pit, hence the capital’s current deplorable state.

UNWANTED CRITICISM

Sonko retold the President he too faced unwarranted criticism; an undeserved arraignment before the International Criminal Court (ICC); and accusations of grand corruption, from opposition worrywarts during his first term, which he overcame and won a second term.

Three, Sonko routinely tells the public that while it is claimed he is not well-read, he has assembled a cabinet comprising “technocrats and elites” who should work to ensure that Nairobi is clean and the county government delivers.

Four, he complains that powerful civil servants, who refuse to accept he is Nairobi’s validly elected governor, are undermining him. And, he has blamed the shortage of water in Nairobi estates on cartels that divert, siphon and sell water illegally.

So, what does the foregoing say about Sonko? One, he is insecure. All recognise him as the elected governor of East Africa’s largest city and business, financial, industrial and communications hub.

INSECURE

Sonko alone is yet to believe he is the first among Kenya’s 47 governor equals. Insecure people crave assurance from those near and yonder that they are in charge and remind everybody they are boss. Burdened by self-doubt, they don’t create meaningful teams or relationships or earn respect. That makes it difficult for them to set and realise managerial aims.

Two, the governor looks to the President for protection because he stood by him during the ICC crisis and now stands by him in politically challenging times.

Unfortunately, presidential cover cannot conceal Nairobi’s filth or stench or save Sonko from his non-delivery or from himself. So the President deftly called Sonko’s bluff.

He asked him to stop paying out Sh700 million annually to failing collectors of garbage and devise ways by which the city’s millions of unemployed vote-carrying youth will do the job for a fraction of that money.

Three, Mr Governor, look into your mirror. That person you see staring at you is the cause of your failure. You won election by accusing Dr Kidero of failure.

TECHNOCRATS

Now govern by righting the wrongs you accused him of. Your cabinet will not deliver simply because it comprises technocrats and elites. You must prove it is capable, give it blueprints, then, provide it with leadership.

Four, will you, then, deliver on the President’s challenge? Prove me wrong. On May 6, 2017, I wrote: “Carefully study ... Sonko’s approach.

He is generous and beloved of the poor. His leadership model says: I have resources, what’s your problem? I will bail you out. “So apart from handouts, he has set up free ambulance, hearse, security and water services. They have rivalled and further undermined their flailing counterparts offered by the Nairobi County Government and Governor Evans Kidero himself.

“Queues for them are unending, but Mbuvi’s resources are neither endless nor is his personal fortune a public fountain. Distribution of largesse makes Sonko wildly popular, but should this be a competence for public office?” Never. So, Nairobians, since you elected Sonko because he is the filthy rich champion of Nairobi’s dirt poor, you may want to reconsider leadership qualities for governorship.

IGATHE RESIGNED

Last, in the piece quoted above I declared: “If you elect a clown, expect a five-year circus. With a resident circus, expect make-believe performance and not delivery-based performance.” Sonko as MP and Senator was always a ringmaster. As Governor he could not leave the circus behind. It is why Deputy Polycarp Igathe resigned. A whole four months later Sonko is nominating Mr Miguna Miguna as his replacement. Mr Miguna would sooner bed a lioness than smile at President Kenyatta.

 Opanga is a commentator with a bias for politics [email protected]