Uncollected garbage not to blame for cholera outbreak – Kidero
By COLLINS OMULO, comulo@ke.nationmedia.comNairobi governor Evans Kidero has denied links between the mounts of uncollected garbage on streets to the cholera outbreak in the capital.
Dr Kidero, while addessing faithful at Methodist church in Ruaraka, claimed that garbage and poor sewerage systems are not to blame for the outbreak.
He instead claimed that current strain of cholera did not originate in Nairobi but was imported by those who had travelled from upcountry. He said the first case was reported at a Karen wedding that was attended by relatives and friends from western Kenya.
POINTED FINGERS
The governor also pointed fingers at unregistered water bowsers operating in the county as possible contributors to the spread of the disease.
But speaking to Nairobi News on phone on Tuesday, Senator Mike Sonko distanced his water bowsers, which are supplying water in informal settlements, from the cholera outbreak.
Sonko said there had been no case of cholera in areas his Sonko Rescue Team had supplied water.
“There is not a single case of cholera from areas we have supplied water. Kidero is simply failing to take responsibility for his failures in the health and other sectors in the devolved structures.
“It is not the responsibility of a charitable organisation like Sonko Rescue Team to provide public with services but the county government which collects taxes from the people. We only step in because he has failed,” Sonko told Nairobi News.
The Senator was backed by gubernatorial candidate Peter Kenneth who told the governor not to blame others for his failings.
‘NO MORAL AUTHORITY’
“The governor has no moral authority to comment on his consistent failures and blame it on others,” said Mr Kenneth.
He reiterated that his quest for the top seat is based on practical solutions and realistic leadership.
“We have said that we must ensure that all estates get safe water within one year. We will track water lines to ensure there is no tampering and there are no water cartels. We will ensure that these things work,” he said.
“It is a shame, a pity that somebody can preside over a big city and allow a hygiene issue to develop into a full blown cholera outbreak. He has been a consistent failure for four to five years and he needs to go home,” said Mr Kenneth.
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