Inside Kimani Wamatangi's manifesto for Kiambu

Kiambu County gubernotorial candidate Kimani Wamatangi. [David Njaaga, Standard]

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) governor candidate for Kiambu Kimani Wamatangi is seeking to establish a county-based bank through which the 'Hustler Revolving Fund' will be channelled.

If elected, Wamatangi says the bank, to be known as Kiambu People's Bank, will provide accessible, affordable, county-guaranteed loans to cushion residents from high-interest rates from financial institutions. 

The senator is competing against heavyweights, including incumbent James Nyoro of Jubilee, former Governor William Kabogo of Tujibebe Party and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria of Chama Cha Kazi. Others are Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina, IT guru Mwende Gatabaki and Agnes Ndungu.

In his manifesto dubbed 'Five Pillars for Kiambu's Socio-Economic Transformation', Wamatangi lists governance, people, resources, competitiveness and harmony as the pillars of his government.

He says his administration will lobby for Thika town to be elevated to city status and to be known as Thika Industrial Smart City with information technology being the driving force of its growth. 

To supplement police efforts in combating crime, Wamatangi says his government will ensure the Nyumba Kumi initiative is fully activated by incorporating more clusters within residential areas.

The senator intends to consolidate and triple the existing funding of Sh100 million into a county-guaranteed interest-free loan that will be reserved for businesses run by youth, women and people living with disability. He is targeting to reach over 30,000 loan recipients.

The former majority whip in the Senate says he will install a 100 per cent digitised 'Huduma Wakiambu' platform, which will enhance service delivery and all communications from the governor's office.

"This is meant to instil integrity, accountability and transparency in service delivery to Kiambu residents," he said.

So as to tame wastage and theft of county revenues, Wamatangi is promising to establish 'Kiambu Revenue Service', which will oversee all county revenues allocated by the national government, internally-generated revenue and donor funds.