Uhuru lauds NMS, City Hall seamless working relationship
Alvin Mwangi and PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday lauded the seamless working relationship between the Nairobi county government and Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), saying it has heralded new dawn at City Hall.
The President, who spoke while opening the New Cargo Consolidated Centre that will be based at the Nairobi Railways Station, said since the two started working together, the county has been transformed especially on the area of infrastructure.
“Since these two people started working together we have seen a lot of improvement. Roads are now better and my only hope is that the two will transform this county and make it even better,” he said.
Uhuru, who indirectly threw a jab at impeached Governor Mike Sonko said the former was unable to deliver to people despite being offered help.
“Their work was only to insult me, which I don’t care at all. The good thing is that we have a fresh team that is committed to make this county better,” he said.
The Head of State further ordered NMS Director General Mohammed Badi to focus on improving roads in the informal markets where accessibility has always been difficult.
At the same time, Uhuru issued a stern warning to all politicians who are inciting the public to illegally occupy government markets in the city.
Uhuru said that traders who previously occupied the markets will be given first priority, while the remaining stores will be distributed through an open ballot which will be supervised by government officials.
“ Soon I will come here and open Mwariro Market but I don’t want to see any incitement. We want to have a fair process that will ensure there is equality,” he said.
Mwariro Market in Starehe constituency was rehabilitated at a cost of Sh389.5 million.
It has new 359 stalls, 318 will be allocated to the original members with the remaining 41 being left to be balloted.
Other markets which have been rehabilitated are; Karandini Market was rehabilitated using Sh294 million, Westland Market rehabilitated at Sh214 million and Gikomba which is almost complete was done using Sh493.8 million.
The President at the same time said the government is committed to creating a conducive environment for small-scale traders to prosper.
He said his desire is to see micro, small and medium enterprises growing and creating employment for the many unemployed Kenyan youth.
The Head of State, who spoke at the National Cargo Deconsolidation Centre,Nairobi, where he made a follow-up inspection of the government warehouse, which was recently expanded from a capacity of five 40-foot containers to 15 such containers, serving approximately 400 small scale traders a day.
He noted the expansion was as a result of the discussions he had with the small scale importers saying, a country can only be developed when citizens learn to discuss issues.
“I am grateful today we are here seeing the progress made. I want to thank Kenya Railways and Kenya Revenue Authority for working hard to ensure this facility was completed,” he said.
