Five things you might have missed in Governor Mike Sonko’s speech as he takes over Nairobi

• Outgoing governor Evans Kidero accepts Sonko’s win as he hands over reigns to Kenya’s capital
• Sonko promises a better Nairobi for its residents and urges them to work together

Nairobi governor elect Mike Sonko was sworn in on 21 August at Uhuru Park after defeating Evans Kidero in the August 8 elections.  

Governor Sonko started his inauguration speech with the gospel song Wewe ni Alfa na Omega before thanking God, his family and Nairobi’s residents for voting for him.

Sonko promised to revive Nairobi’s lost glory stating, “we shall make Nairobi the preferred destination for all local and foreign investors and tourists.”

Sonko cited some of the problems facing Nairobi and promised to deal with them including criminal gangs operating under the city inspectorate that have been terrorising city residents.

“I therefore stand before you today to declare that the old Nairobi has finally come to an end. Today we join our hands to embark on a journey to fix a city that has badly been broken down, to a cleaner, greener, healthier and wealthier city,” stated Sonko.

The governor-elect promised to:

1.Put in place an elaborate plan to clean up the garbage menace as he has already demonstrated in the ongoing “operation Ng’arisha Jiji.”

2.Build enough markets for small scale traders and review licenses to enhance ease of doing business.

3.Support the youth, women and persons living with disabilities to start and grow their businesses, while creating employment opportunities.

4.Seal all loopholes to suffocate cartels that have been stealing revenue from Nairobi residents.

5.Build new and equip existing health facilities to guarantee citizens first class health services.

“Under my administration, Nairobi shall shine again as the face and gateway to Africa,” declared Sonko. The inauguration ceremony attended by among them President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.