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Date: 07.09.2013
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over Kidero's
loyalty to ODM
ByPROTUSONVANGO
Ipsos Synovate Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
The counties
Date: 07.09.2013
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Nairobi County Governor Ev­
ans Kidero has come out to de­
I Ihuru Kenyatta.
Kidero maintained he has not
ODM and Conner Prime Minister
ditched CORD, saying he cannot
play pn|]! h":­, with nliofllce thai
controls 60 per cent of the coun­
Raila Odinga.
try's economy.
fend himself as speculation con­
tinues to rage oyer his loyalty to
Dr Kidero took a swipe at de­
tractors fuelling the speculation
anil described them as 'myopic'.
He said no progress would
lie conceded he bad higher
political ambitions and indicated
be realised if we 'drink, eal ami
he was going to vie for the post
of ODM chairmanship when
sleep pi ilitics'. Otller leaders
elections are held.
who spoke in defence of Kide
"My supporters have asked
He added: "We need drugs
in our hospitals and to manage
traffic as well as empower the
youth and women, This cannot
be achieved if we drink, eat and
sleep politics. We need to give
water to people in informal set­
tlements who pay more for wa­
ter than what we charge."
He explained his association
with the president is based on
law as enshrined in the Consti­
tution.
"I am mandated by law to
ro's style said those unhappy
me to vie for chairmanship of
with him are those "who have
ODM and after consultations, 1
never achieved any t11itig and
how to share costs of the nation­
have decided to go for it, I desire
for prudent management of par­
alaml colinU governments." Kide
can'l inakoaslateineul Without
invokii ig Raila's name".
The guvnor has recently
been under attack for doliber­
ties where those elected have
matching skills," Kidero said.
He made the announcement
al i ly shunning party activities
and courses, fuelling specula­
recently when he was the guest
tion that he had shifted Ms loy­
ing party for Vihiga County Sen­
alty from ODM.
ator George Khanirt During the
Some ODM leaders have
been hinting that Kidero was
scheming to secure a top seat in
the party all he expense of ODM
founder and party leader (Mia
Odinga, While rejecting these
claims, Kidero explained he en­
joys a cordial relationship with
the former Prime Minister.
Kidero told his critics ho
could not afford to eat, drink
and sleep' politics at the ex­
pense of his county.
On relations with Raila, he
explained; "1 consult Raila fre­
quently because he is the one
who did the plan for the road
network when he was Roads
minister. He knew about my trip'
to China."
Some ODM supporters have
been accusing Kidero of leaning
towards Jubilee while snubbing
Raila functions.
Kidero was absent from the
US tour for all CORD governors
organised by Raila, which was
attended by 12 governors.
Political ambitions
While Raila and the 12 CORD
governors were in the US, Ki­
dero led a team of his officers to
of honour during the homecom­
event also attended by Amani
It '.¦!< let Musaiia Mudavadi, sena­
meet the president to discuss
ro said.
He said the Constitution man­
dates him to meet with the presi­
dent four times a year.
Special county
He said his meetings with the
president should be seen in the light
of providing services to Nairobi resi­
ro called on Mudavadi to come
dents and not politics.
Kidero said Nairohi is a special
county as it. is the seat of the nation­
back to ODM.
al and courtly governments.
:')!•:•. Anyang' Myong'o, Hassan
Omar and Ron! Khalwale, Kide­
"I have attended this event
to thank the Luhya people who
overwhelmingly voted forme
and call on all leaders I<> work
together to make Kenya better,"
Kidero said.
No reason
He explained those question­
ing his loyalty for working with
Jubilee did not understand cite
duties of his office saying: "I was
elected by all communities and
1 must work across all political
parties, races and religions."
The governor said he did pol­
itics during campaigns and sees
no reason to perpetually en­
gage in politics instead of deliv­
ering the promises he made to
the people.
"Nairobi residents need wa­
ter, employment, security and
other services, 1 need to plan
and engage with the national
government and donors r.o fund
these projects," be said.
"Nairobi is unique and hosts UN
bodies that have been elevated lo
the level of New York, Vienna and
Geneva. Our infrastructure and se­
curity needs are special and we
must consult with the national gov­
ernment to deliver," he said.
The governor said a leader
changes the lives of people by
bettering their lives tlirough eco­
nomic development.
"1 want, to see a Nairobi where
all children get. university edu­
cation and compete on the same
plat form for.iobs. I do not waul
to engage in politics and let chil­
dren die of preventable diseas­
es like malaria or worm infesta­
tions," Kidero said.
Cavinee Owidi, former Ka­
sipul Kabondo MP, supports Ki­
ilei'ii.
"The governor's relationship
with President Uhuru is neces­
sary. Anybody opposing it does
not understand his office or is be­
State House to meet President
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The governor, however, fault­
ed the current formula for rev­
ing dishonest," Owidi said.
During Kidero's homecon:
ing party at Asumbi in Homa)Bay
County, Ohioch Kauindo, a
for­
enue allocation, saying it might
not spur development in the
count ry.
"I support the call for a refer­
rner Rongo MP urged Kidero to
work together with Presiden t Uh­ endum to increase allocation to
the counties because the current
uru.
"You and Ih­esident UhurtJ
share some characteristics lloth
of you were elected by all co n
iiuiniiies. Do not antagonise I hu­
ru or Raila. Both of them are eril­
ical in your delivery of servic es
Karurido said.
Cold shoulder
formula based on area size, pop­
ulation and poverty rates is fun­
damentally flawed," Kidero said.
The governor noted that most
of the money given to the coun­
ties is used for paying salaries
leaving negligible amounts for
development.
"In Nairobi, Sh6.4 billion out
of the Sh9.7 billion will be used
I le dismissed those accus ­
to pay workers who were sec­
onded to us by the national gov­
shoulder as opportunists.
"Do not listen to the noisiin iak­ ernment," Kidero said.
He added, "To improve ser­
ers. Some of them are peoplf i who
vice delivery to the people, we
cannot do anything without in­
ing Kidero of giving ODM a c
ild
need to review the allocation.
voking liaiia's name.
Some of them were ministers
who could have registered m ore
people or solved land issues,
Mr
Kanindo said.
Kidero accompanied Pres i
For me it is not the percentage
but I suggest that the revenue
shared out should not include
the money meant for salaries and
recurrent expenditure."
dent Uhuru to China and sec ired
Sh87 billion funding for vatic us
development projects for Na ro
bi County in housing and Lnfta
structure.
lie said be has also met thle
< 11 '¦ na ai i and Japanese govern i
ment representatives to soui ce
for funding.
"I recently met the USA alid
British ambassadors and they
have agreed to fund automation
of our services and help us pro­
cure drugs for our health facili­
ties," Kidero said.
Nairobi County Governor Dr Evans Kidero when he
visited China recently. INSET: Vihiga County sena­
tor George Khaniri. [PHOTOS: FILE]
Ipsos Synovate Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
The counties
Date: 07.09.2013
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Article size: 942 cm2
ColumnCM: 209.33
AVE: 0.0
Ipsos Synovate Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
The counties
Date: 07.09.2013
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Article size: 942 cm2
ColumnCM: 209.33
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11 HAVETOSERVE
PEOPLE'
Dr Kidero is being
accussed of giving
ODM a cold shoulder.
In defence he says he
must work to serve
residents regardless of
their political parties.
"Residents need water,
efficient medical care
and proper roads. If I eat,
drink and sleep politics,
then all these cannot be
achieved," he says.
Ipsos Synovate Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya