Sh40bn debt could stall operations at City Hall

 

Nairobi governor Evans Kidero. Dr Kidero accompanied by his county executive members last Friday paid a courtesy call to President Kenyatta at State House apparently to plead with the government to write off the debt.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By PETER OBUYA

In Summary

• Senior political advisor in the office of the governor Mr Jeff Otieno revealed that the debt has so far crippled the delivery of key services as the governments finds it hard to carry out its functions.
• Residents of Nairobi mainly drawn from the informal settlements accused Dr Kidero of failure to deliver on his election pledges.

Operations at the Nairobi County government could soon grind to a halt following a debt crisis that amounts to over Sh40 billion.

A senior county official who is privy to the issue Monday revealed that the debt crisis is worrying the county Governor Dr Evans Kidero and is the reason he paid a courtesy call to President Uhuru Kenyatta last Friday.

Senior political advisor in the office of the governor Mr Jeff Otieno revealed that the debt has so far crippled the delivery of key services.

“The County Government inherited a debt of over Sh40 billion from the defunct City Council of Nairobi and this has affected the delivery of key services because there is no money. Salaries alone gobble up to Sh640 million a month yet the monthly revenue collection for the county government stands at Sh540 million,” Mr Otieno said.

“This is why the governor met with leaders of the national government to finds ways of how this debt problem can be solved so the county can take off,” he added.

Dr Kidero accompanied by his county executive members last Friday paid a courtesy call to President Kenyatta at State House apparently to plead with the government to write off the debt.

Mr Otieno made the revelation at a devolution forum at St Teresa’s Catholic Church along Juja Road which was convened by Muungano wa Wanavijiji in conjunction with Pamoja Trust.

Residents of Nairobi mainly drawn from the informal settlements accused Dr Kidero of failure to deliver on his election pledges.

They also demanded that the governor issue an injunction stopping any evictions of those living in informal settlements.

“The biggest headache to those living in informal settlements is security of land tenure and that is why we are requesting the governor to stop all evictions until the Eviction and Resettlement Bill is passed,” said Muungano wa Wanavijiji president Ezekiel Rema.

More than ten county assembly members who were present at the function pleaded with the residents to give the governor more time to deliver on his promises.

“It is only three months since the Governor assumed office and we are pleading for your patience to allow us put in place frameworks that will enable efficient delivery of services,” said Laini Saba County Representative David Kitavi.