Uhuru again asks Sonko to support Badi in managing Nairobi

By Mourice Seretta

President Uhuru has asked Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to work closely and support the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Mohammed Badi.

Addressing Nairobians outside the Pumwani Social Hall immediately after meeting with Bodaboda riders, the Head of State told the City Governor that his job has not been taken away from him.

“No one’s job has been snatched. We should work together to develop Nairobi,” Uhuru said in a veiled message to Governor Sonko.

President Kenyatta also urged Nairobians to support General Badi in running of the city affairs.

“I’m humbly requesting you to support Badi because he is doing good work, and let us work together. If Nairobi improves it will be for everybody,” Uhuru said.

The county is yet to receive funds for development after Sonko declined to assent to the Sh37.5 billion budget.

In the Budget, the County Assembly had given the Badi lead office Sh27.1 billion and Sonko’s administration Sh8.4 billion.

Last week, Sonko stated he was not afraid of the President and would not sit back and watch Nairobi residents be oppressed.

“We are not against development but people evicted should be compensated,” he said.

In the just released Building Bridges Initiative report, Nairobi will acquire a special status as it proposes that the national government will be in charge of five Key county functions that are Health, Transport, Public works, Planning, and Fire and disaster management.

The report proposes that Article 200 of the Constitution be amended to require that Parliament, within a year, make a legislation to provide mechanisms for the carrying out of the said functions.