Mr Senator, you can do better with Nairobi city

Renowned former US President Abraham Lincoln, once remarked: All men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.

Now, Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko, has crossed the line of decorum and dignity befitting his high office. His antics have been many, but by recently brandishing bodyguards armed with high calibre rifles and in civilian clothes, Sonko not only sent a negative image of the city he represents in the Senate, but also sowed seeds of discord.

Nairobi is not the most insecure city in the world to warrant such showmanship, and neither are guns toys for men to display in public. Intimidation is not part of leadership. Brandishing guns in public only breeds a culture of violence. Our children are left with so many questions when they see such moves on television and newspaper pages.

His actions at the Lee Funeral Home last week, together with his entourage, dubbed ‘Team Sonko’, leave a lot to be desired for an elected leader, popular with the youth.
Why would the “Prince of Nairobi” - the self-proclaimed ‘mtu wa watu’ - need all that kind of security and group of toughies following him everywhere he goes? Why is he seemingly grooming ruffians?

Elected leaders are supposed to serve their electorate, not the other way round. Still, there are police guidelines on how public figures should be offered protection by the State. It is, therefore, fitting that the police have withdrawn the guns and promised disciplinary action against Sonko’s bodyguards.

When Sonko plunged into city politics, he offered a fresh break from the stiff neck, windows-closed and aloof politicians of yore. He drew deep emotions by helping out and even adopting children in distress. Poor residents including mama mboga, selling vegetables on the streets to eke out a living, benefited through his cash handouts.

All of a sudden, ordinary Nairobians loved the maverick politician, seen as interested in solving their daily life’s challenges. During the Sinai fire tragedy, for instance, Sonko stood with the affected, helped them financially and even went to court seeking compensation. That is all too good, but the city’s challenges are complex and being an elected leader, he ought to be on the front line seeking solutions.

Nairobi is today choking in filth and uncollected garbage. Attempts by private and public bodies to manage waste have hit numerous stumbling blocks, which the Senator should be part of resolving. Traffic jams are the order of the day.

Residents of Embakasi, especially those who use the forgotten Outer Ring Road, know this only too well. They are accustomed to getting home sometimes past midnight, all because their only access home, a road that also leads to the busiest airport in East and Central Africa, is now impassible.

Nairobi streets are the darkest they have ever been, full of street families, muggers and pick pockets. The deadly gangs of yester years are back. Raw sewage flow our estates with reckless abandon.

Devolution, it seems, was not meant for Nairobi. Things seem to have become worse since the advent of the devolved units. Yet, the one elected official (Senator) supposed to keep the county government on its toes, seems to be missing in action.

Where is the Senator when the once ‘Green City in the sun’ needs him the most? He is busy attracting the wrong publicity.

There are also allegations that the Senator’s motorcade is part of the problem on our city roads. Sonko is fond of driving on the wrong side of the road, sirens earsplitting, and harassing other motorists.

There are even disturbing reports of his handlers brandishing their sophisticated guns at motorists who refuse to give way. Are these really characteristics of a good leader of a modern city?

Nairobians deserve better from their elected leaders. Over to you Mr Senator!