Nairobians to use public toilets for free, Sonko orders
Nairobi County residents will now access all public toilets free of charge.
Governor Mike Sonko has scrapped all fees paid at the facilities with immediate effect. City Hall receives approximately Sh6.2 million every year from public toilet contractors.
“City residents should not be charged to use public toilets. It is unfair to charge voters of Nairobi to use a public facility. I will give a directive that from today all toilets within the city to be free,” said Governor Sonko.
There are 68 public toilets in Nairobi county, with 17 located within the Central Business District.
Governor Sonko made the announcement on Wednesday at Charter Hall where he launched a Sh357 million bursary fund initiative.
In January 2017, city resident Adrian Kamotho had petitioned the High court to order the county government to scrap the fee on the use of public facilities. The matter is still pending in court.
INCREASE BURSARY
Mr Sonko stated that the county government will increase the bursary funds annually by Sh500,000 in order to give opportunities for needy children.
“To underscore my commitment to education today I launch the Nairobi City County bursaries to over 70,000 poor bright children of Nairobi,” he said.
Under the bursary fund, each of the 85 wards in the county will receive Sh3.5 million towards the education of learners in the wards.
The City Hall boss took a swipe at the previous administration of Dr Evans Kidero, criticising it for not fully implementing a similar scheme.
“The previous administration had begun a bursary scheme but did not fully meet their commitment. I have ordered an audit into the bursary scheme and I have since declared payment to the genuine beneficiaries,” said Governor Sonko.
BURSARY DELAYS
Education Executive Ms Janet Ouko acknowledged concerns on the delay to disburse bursaries.
“We have encountered major challenges which led to delay of the bursaries but the government has put education as one of its priority and our aim is to better the education system of the county,” said Ms Ouko.
On her part, County Assembly Education Committee chairperson Ms Millicent Mugadi urged parents not to allow children to stay at home yet the county is giving out bursaries.
“As a committee we have had many challenges but we are happy that children within our county will continue learning because of the bursaries,” said Ms Mugadi.