By Shadrack Nyakoe
Panic gripped Nairobi county governor hopefuls following an announcement by incumbent Governer Ann Kananu who has called on anti-corruption agencies in conjunction with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to have all aspirants contesting for Nairobi governorship to undergo an imperative integrity test to ensure the county remains in safe hands past the August 9 elections.
“People who handle public funds must be transparent and have good governance skills,” she said.
She said delivery of services, corruption, gross misconducts and misuse of public office witnessed in the reign of the former Governor Mike Sonko who was impeached before lapse of his term was avoidable by the alleged test.
This comes as gubernatorial aspirant Agnes Kagure has an active case pending judgement in a court of law involving land grabbing worth Kes 500 million in Karen while her Jubilee counterpart who may need to drop his bid if the test maybe made mandatory is the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Richard Ngatia who is reportedly said to have diverted Covid-19 equipment donated by Chinese tycoon Jack Ma to his Megascope Healthcare Limited.
“We have unfinished business. We have to complete the development projects we started and continue improving the lives of Nairobi residents,” she said.
She said she will be defending her seat in the coming elections.
Former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru said good plans for Nairobi residents will only come from leaders of integrity, supporting the mandatory integrity tests for governor aspirants.
Waweru, who is seeking to reclaim the seat on a Jubilee ticket, said public funds must be guarded absolutely.
“That is why I support the proposal to have IEBC only clear those who have undergone mandatory integrity tests and passed,” said Waweru.
Over 20 City Ward Reps accompanied Kananu and declared support for her re-election bid.
She officially assumed office last November after taking over from former Mike Sonko in an acting capacity officially.
