Ruto undertakes to clean up Nairobi and restore its world-class state

President William Ruto has pledged to support the Nairobi City County government in cleaning up the city and restoring its world-class status.

Speaking during the Labour Day celebrations at the Uhuru Gardens, the President said the national government together with the Johnson Sakaja-led administration will complete the construction of link roads in the county and ensure that there are passable walkways even in the estates, especially in the informal settlements.

“I agree with Atwoli that the City of Nairobi is the face of Kenya, and we must live in a city that has dignity. I have joined hands with the county government of Nairobi to make sure that we complete all the link roads and make sure that the city has motorable walkways and decent roads in different estates, especially the informal settlements. We have also agreed with the City of Nairobi on how the city shall be cleaned,” he stated.

Ruto emphasised that the programmes like the ongoing climate works which involves the cleaning of Nairobi River are meant to ensure the City is clean.

He revealed that the number of youths employed in the programme will soon be doubled from the current 20,000 to 40,000, creating more employment.

His remarks came after the Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli expressed concern that Nairobi has become disorderly and unclean.

The Cotu boss stated that the city has lost its international glory, adding that there are hawkers, boda boda riders, and matatus everywhere.

He said people landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) meet hawkers from the airport to the CBD.

According to Atwoli, the disorganisation in Kenya’s capital depicts poverty to foreigners arriving from various parts of the world.

“Nairobi belongs to all of us, and it must reflect the other cities in the world. It must reflect Accra of Ghana, Abuja of Nigeria, Kigali of Rwanda, and Abidjan of Ivory Coast. We cannot remain in a filthy city full of hawkers, matatus, and riders, depicting the picture of poverty of Kenya from Mombasa Road when you arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” Atwoli stated.

He suggested that landlords in the Nairobi CBD need to repaint their buildings, repair their pavements, and hence the City will reclaim its lost state.

Atwoli appealed to President Ruto to team up with the County administration and ensure the city is in order and dignity.

“We are appealing to the national government to team up with the city and the county governments to ensure that we have a city. Let landlords repaint their buildings, the county repair pavements, and make sure Nairobi reclaims its lost glory of being an international city,” he stated.

His remarks on landlords repainting buildings come after the county government in January issued a 90-day notice to building owners in the CBD to repaint their buildings.

Governor Sakaja had said buildings in the CBD and its environs must have a fresh coat of paint.

However, the directive is yet to be implemented.