Stop inciting remarks ahead of polls, says Kidero

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has urged politicians to refrain from raising political temperatures ahead of the elections.

He also asked city residents to avoid travelling upcountry because of fear of post-election violence, saying the city was safe with just four days to the polls.

Kidero took issue with political leaders making inflammatory remarks, saying this was a volatile period and all leaders should preach cohesion and unity.

"We are just a few days to the elections and I urge leaders from all political parties to refrain from making statements that could upset the peace that we have enjoyed for the past four years," said Kidero.

Speaking in Umoja, the governor further asked voters not to be fearful and to ensure they vote before leaving.

"You should not be intimidated by anyone because this is your country and you should not run away. Moving will not solve anything and the only way we can ensure peace is through free and fair elections," said Kidero.

Title deeds

The governor had taken his campaign to Embakasi West constituency, where he was handing over 4,000 title deeds to residents. He said some of the land owners had waited for titles for as long as 30 years, made applications during the reign of the defunct Nairobi City Council.

Kidero denied allegations that City Hall has links with land cartels. He said individuals were taking advantage of tenants and business people whose leases had expired to forcibly evict them.

This, however, he said, was not done with the help of City Hall. County chief officer Lands Stephen Mwangi lauded the governor's sentiments, saying that City Hall was in the process of preparing additional 1,000 leases. Mwangi added that City Hall had not helped any one illegally acquire land in the past four years.

"I have heard such claims, but we have not in any way helped cartels illegally acquire leases. First priority is always given to the owners upon expiry unless one doesn't want it," he said.

Mwangi said there were an additional 4,000 titles to be issued to tenants in Embakasi.

Josphat Kanyi, an elderly resident, said he had waited for his title deed for close to 25 years and was grateful that he had finally got it.