Sonko is the leader Nairobi needs

Kamau Wairuri
Jul 21, 2017 · 3 min read

The recent TIFA poll on Nairobi gubernatorial race showed a neck-to-neck contest between Dr Evans Kidero, the incumbent, and Mike Sonko, the outgoing Senator for Nairobi. Kidero had a one-point lead on Sonko’s 43%. Such a difference is within the margin of error and so the result could go either way. The choice is between Kidero and Sonko and the 8% undecided voters will determine the outcome.

The question then is how these undecided voters would make their choice. I want to propose a formula. During the recent debate between the four candidates, Miguna Miguna argued strongly that ‘Nairobi does not need a manager, it needs a leader.’ He is right. We can push his argument further through the famous distinction offered by Warren Bennis that managers do things right, leaders do the right things. This distinction should guide voters as they make their choice on the 8th of August. More precisely, voters should ask themselves what the ‘right things’ are and who between the two candidates is better for ‘doing’ them.

The various candidates seem to agree on what the major issues are, including water, markets and transportation. Of course, this includes Kidero who has spent the last five years learning about what needs to be fixed. That’s a heavy tuition we have paid there. Undoubtedly, they have different views on the solutions. Obviously, their choices privilege certain dimension over others, with certain trade-offs made. This should be of keen interest to voters. When assessing a candidate’s ideas, voters should ask whether the candidates choices favour the privileged few or the disadvantaged many?

As a friend of mine noted recently, one the key agenda points for the incoming governor is delivering dignity to Nairobi’s most vulnerable populations. Those people who live in poor neighbourhoods, making a living through insecure jobs in volatile environments. This entails ensuring that they have toilets and safe drinking water, guaranteeing them safe and decent passage between home and work and making it easy for them to access decent social services such as healthcare and education for their children. Sort Project Dignity first, then think about other more complex interventions such as light rails and massive housing projects.

On this, Sonko has distinguished himself from his main competitor and the other candidates. Unlike the others who have only now descended from on-high to mingle with the commoners, Sonko has been amongst these vulnerable populations. He is, so to speak, “a man of the people,” with a very decent understanding of their needs. This understanding may not be presented in the most polished language but a good command of English doesn’t take away the pain of a mother who child is dying from diarrhoea due to their insanitary living conditions. Better, a genuine concern from a leader who cares about her plight and acts to ensure provision of safe drinking water.

Little wonder, that people would answer “Sonko” to the question: Amongst the four candidates, who would you leave your child with? It’s a good thing though, that no one will be looking for a baby-sitter when voting during the coming elections.

The second part of our earlier formulation is the capacity to deliver; the doing part. If the right thing is to deliver dignity for the most vulnerable, who is the better person to deliver it between Kidero and Sonko? This is a no brainer. To start with, we have already tried one. I am not sure there is much to celebrate there.

Most importantly though, Sonko has demonstrated that the has a genuine concern for people in difficult circumstances. What’s more, he intervenes in the most practical way. Hiring lawyers to help people whose homes are being grabbed is probably helpful but it is even better and more meaningful to stop the property being grabbed. We can make plans, and we really should, about how we will create an environment for businesses to grow and create jobs. In the meantime, though, let’s equip unemployed youth with skills such as hairdressing and driving so that they can at least be able to venture into the marketplace on their own. We shouldn’t privilege the future at the expense of the present. In three years, we might start building a light rail but in a few months we can change matatu routes, so that our city transport ceases to be a funnel that drains into the city centre.

Hopefully, Nairobi voters will base their choice on the right things.

)
Kamau Wairuri

Written by

Researcher, Analyst & Strategist: Politics, Policy and Governance. Postcard & Bank Note collector.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade