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Sonko’s cabinet gets down to work as cartels loom large


Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko told members of his cabinet to uphold integrity and deliver services to city residents with diligence and commitment.

Mr Sonko spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of his team on Friday at Charter Hall, a day after they were unanimously approved by the county Assembly.

The 10 county executive committee members also signed the General Leadership and Integrity Code, with Mr Sonko cautioning that he will not condone corruption in his administration.

The governor said the new team was competent and he was confident it would push his administration’s development agenda forward and help to implement policies that will improve service delivery and uplift the living standards of residents.

RECLAIM NAIROBI GLORY

The governor urged the executives to use their time and energy to reclaim Nairobi’s lost glory, saying they had inherited a city in a terrible state where corruption cartels controlled key departments such as those of revenue, rates and legal.

“As we congratulate you on your appointments to various portfolios, we must, however, face the reality that the road ahead is challenging but also full of opportunities,” he told the team at a ceremony attended by close family members and Speaker Beatrice Elachi.

Among those sworn in was Mr Hitan Majevda who will hold the Health services docket.

Speaking to the Nation, Mr Majevda said he was grateful to be the first Asian to hold such a senior position in the country. “I come from a marginalised community that never gets appointments. After politicians ask for our votes, they forget us,” he said.

REVIVE HEALTH SECTOR

He promised to revive the health sector which he said has been in a dilapidated state, putting pressure on Kenyatta National Hospital.

Ms Emmah Muthoni, who at 34 years is the youngest member of the team, will be in charge of the Environment and Water docket.

Ms Muthoni, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, promised to end perennial water shortage, stop environmental degradation and clean up the city.

“It is equally important that Nairobi River is clean so that it is not a health hazard as it currently is,” she said.

Journalist Charles Kerich (ICT), Vesca Kangongo (Finance), Janet Ouko (Education), Peter Njuguna (Lands) and Allan Esabwa (Commerce) were also sworn in.

Others were Danvas Makori (Agriculture), Larry Wambua (Devolution) and Mohamed Dagane (Infrastructure and Transport).