Ngatia Seals Political Deal With Former City Councillors

Chamber President Adopts Grassroots Strategy to Woo Voters And Political Support In Sub Counties

By Adieri Mulaa

Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Richard Ngatia has adopted a grassroots lobbying approach in his quest for Nairobi governor’s seat

On Tuesday, Ngatia met over 80 former councillors of the defunct City Council of Nairobi, widening his network to woo voters and grassroots leaders ahead of party nominations and the 9th August General Election.

Addressing the former civic leaders, the Azimio La Umoja gubernatorial aspirant said he had a vision to turn Nairobi City into an economic hub, ripe with business and employment opportunities.

“I have been to many cities the world over. I have a vision for Nairobi City to become a great business hub in this region, with numerous employment opportunities for our youth”, he said.

***Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Richard Ngatia addressing former councillors in the defunct City Council of Nairobi on 8th February, 2022 in Parklands suburb.***

Political leadership alone will not create employment opportunities. If am elected governor of Nairobi, I want to bring business to politics and remove politics from business, the KNCCI president said.

The civic leaders were led by the national chairman of former councillors forum, Cllr Geoffrey Gitau and Secretary of the group, Cllr Norbert Odwory, both who served at City Hall as councillors for two terms.

The civic leaders included former deputy mayors Ali Mwanzi, who was a close friend of the late President Daniel arap Moi and former deputy mayor Kiyo Muratha.

During the goat eating luncheon hosted at Safari Bowling Green Restaurant in Parklands suburb, Ngatia used the opportunity to expand his campaign outreach strategies.

The former councillors handed Ngatia a memorandum containing details of their pending honorarium. Mr Gitau urged the KNCCI president to follow up the matter with the national government.

Ngatia is making in roads to lobby grassroots leaders as part of his campaign strategy to woo more city residents into his support base.

*Mr Richard Ngatia flanked by the national chairman of former councillors forum (on his left), Cllr Geoffrey Gitau, the forum’s Secretary, Cllr Norbert Odwory and Cllr Andrew Macharia (extreme right)*

Armed with eloquence and charm business oratory zeal, Ngatia explained to the former civic leaders how the economy would thrive in an environment where business took precedence in a political arena.

The business magnet is moving stealthily across the city, meeting grassroots leaders, organized groups of women, youth, traders and jua kali artisans in the sub counties, to take stock of their needs and solicit their support.

Political leaders at the grassroots like the MCAs and former councillors should not just fade from the scene when they are out of political office. They posses acquired knowledge and capacity to contribute towards development, says Ngatia.

He promises to focus on business growth and provision of desired public services to the city residents, if elected the governor of Nairobi City in August.