Residents censure aspirants over water shortage as public debate for South C MCAs kicks off

With the political clock tickling to the final lap, politicians are on toes enticing voters to elect them in the August general elections. South C Residents Association have taken it a notch higher by organizing a debate that has seen aspirants vetted for the Member of County Assembly (MCA) position.

8 out of 11 MCA aspirants in south C ward have been engaged in a one on one debate with the public. The incumbent MCA Diana Kapeen will defend her seat as an independent candidate.

Those seeking to dethrone her are; Samuel Omondi -independent, Bernard Bet-KANU, Josephat Omwoyo -Democratic Congress Party, Patrick Wainaina -Maendeleo Chap Chap , John Okoth -Chama cha Mashinani, Nathan Nzomo -Empowerment Liberation Party, Sarah Simiyu -Ford Kenya, Donnie Langat-Jubilee, Abdi Abdirashid -Wiper and Abubakar Muhamed who is also an independent candidate.

Citizens of south C ward have been challenged to vote in leaders with vision to steer the leadership into another level.

Among the issues that dominated the debate were; security, drainage system, education, transport, land use, water, the conservation of the environment, informal jobs sector and settlement.

When the question of rising water shortage in the area was directed to the aspirants, it was evident that the matter was beyond the power of the seat being fought for.

"The water reservoir in Nairobi West is not working. The supplier of South C area is in Mombasa Road and doubles as the supplier to important clients like Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and EPZ. Therefore, south C can only receive water 14 hours a week,” said Mr Langat, the Jubilee party candidate.

Even though the area is known of flooding water during rainy seasons, most of the aspirants were of the idea that they should harvest rain water and every water collected be put into good use.

"Rain water should be directed on a reservoir that can benefit the residents in future," suggested Nzomo,the Empowerment Liberation Party candidate.

It was a concern that being a middle class ward with a population of over 50, 000 people, only a few turned up for the debate as organisers complained of low turnout.

South C ward is a precious area that hosts companies, institutes and organizations like Kenya Red Cross Society, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board, Kenya Water Institute and Boma Hotel among others.