Atwoli slams Nassir, Sakaja over filthy cities

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli. [File, Standard] 

Trade unions should agitate for better services from the county government, Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has said.

Speaking in Mombasa, Mr. Atwoli lamented the declining standards of the country's largest cities, Nairobi and Mombasa, and accused Governors Abdulswamad Nassir and Johnston Sakaja of incompetence.

"It is appalling that the two cities are choking with garbage. The two young, smart, and educated governors Sakaja and Nassir, have failed the people. This is pure incompetency," said Atwoli.

He said Nairobi and Mombasa had lost their past glory and were now the filthiest cities with garbage all over the streets despite being home to tourists and intellectuals.

"These governors are young and we thought they would do things differently but they are just incompetent," said Atwoli. He termed Nassir a bearded governor who had left the tourist city to be filled with garbage.

“I see that Abdulswamad does not shave his beard and that is how he wants this city to be. Tell him he must change," said Atwoli, adding that Sakaja had failed to keep the streets of Nairobi in order and clean.

“These two governors are incompetent; they have failed to clean the garbage out of the cities. Let them clean off all the garbage if they want to be considered serious,” said Atwoli.

He spoke in Mombasa while meeting with seafarers to officially open their new office and meet with the newly elected chairwoman.

"We thought that when we hand over leadership to youthful leaders they would be able to handle things better,” said Atwoli, adding that despite being a tourist city, Mombasa's streets were like a landfill of garbage and smelly alleys.

The COTU leader stated that the young leaders lack the necessary skills to effectively manage the two cities, home to intellectuals and tourists. He also emphasized the need for Mombasa to reclaim its former status as one of the cleanest cities that used to attract tourists.

"Mombasa and Nairobi should clean up their streets and reclaim their lost glory to attract tourists,” said Atwoli.