Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero: I will be back on the account of the many firsts we have scored for the county

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero. He's leaving nothing to chance as he defends his seat in the next general election. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Q: One year into the General Election and nearly four years after you were elected, how do you rate your performance?
A: I remain heavily indebted to the people of Nairobi for overwhelmingly electing me as their first Governor and for honouring me with the most diverse votes in the entire country. In returning this honour, I have ensured that this diversity is reflected in all spheres of my government. Despite working under unfavourable revenue sharing formula which offers us less than what former Local Authorities Trust Fund was offering and which is swallowed by recurrent expenditure, we have managed to do roads, build bridges, light up our city, rehabilitate hospitals, equip them, do a Master Plan, reduce crime, clean our streets, collect garbage and enhance our bursaries and quality of education.

Q: If the allocation is swallowed up by salaries, where do you get the money to do all these other things?
A: There is the little that we collect as rates, amounting to approximately Sh1.2 billion per month. And we collect it under very difficult circumstances. You will be surprised to know that the national government owes us Sh69 billion in rates of their properties. You will also be surprised to know that Parliament and Ministry of Interior have refused to pay rates to the County yet they are enjoying our services. To make matters worse, Interior Cabinet Secretary minister Joseph Nkaissery does not appear to recognise that this country is governed by law when he goes on record and essentially says “can’t pay, won’t pay.”