Kananu in charge as third city governor
Former security supervisor at the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Ann Kananu was yesterday sworn in as Nairobi’s third governor, bringing to an end an 11- month legal dispute over the city’s top leadership
Kananuhad been in the corridors of justice as she fought several cases lodged by former Governor Mike Sonko seeking to stop her from being sworn in.
At exactly 10.52am yesterday, Kananu took the oath of office before High Court Judge Lillian Mutende, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in a colourful event graced by top government functionaries and her family members.
Addressing the gathering after her swearing in, Kananu promised to return
the capital to its lost glory.
“Today marks yet another milestone for the women and girls in Kenya. It is our hope that this day serves to encourage more women to come forward to participate in the governing of this great nation and provide leadership.
Today I stand tall, on the shoulders of women who have come before me and broken the glass ceiling,” she said.
Dressed in a navy blue dress suit, Kananu acknowledged President Uhuru Kenyatta’s role in her political journey, saying his efforts have played a big role in restoring the lost glory of the city.
“I take this opportunity to pay respect and thank His Excellency for his leadership and his administration’s vision for Nairobi City,” she said.
Economic stimulus
She unveiled a Nairobi Economic Stimulus Five-Point Programme. She said her administration will give priority to the Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) sector by employing 219 more teachers.
Her new administration will seek to improve the health of learners through the provision of free milk for approximately 6,450 children in the ECDE centres across the 17 sub-counties in Nairobi, she added.
To address the perennial water challenges in Nairobi, Kananu said her administration will seek to improve it through the sinking of boreholes and the installation of 850 water tanks.
She also said she intends to ensure Nairobi has a revitalised 24-hour economy that will create jobs with a promise to launch, within the next 30 days, a Post-Covid Recovery Plan with a focus on greater improvements in security, local policing, lighting and sanitation.
The government is effectively functioning I commit to working in collaboration and in harmony with the Senate, National Government, Nairobi County Assembly, Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), Development and diplomatic partners and the business community.
Through our joint and collaborative effort, we will ensure a good delivery of service and quality of life for Nairobians,” she pledged.
Kananu said she signed into law the Gender-Based Violence Bill, which will
ensure safe houses are built in every sub-county of Nairobi.
She praised NMS Director-General Mohamed Badi saying he had achieved delivery of service through close collaboration with her office.
With Kananu’s swearing-in, focus now shifts to the deputy governor’s slot, which she is expected to fill in the coming days.
Already, both the ruling Jubilee Party and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) are in talks to agree on a suitable candidate.
