Why Nairobi City County is Key for Any Political Divide

By Juma / Published August 27, 2016 | 5:00 am

Nairobi, the city in the sun, as it is commonly known, is giving politicians a run for their money as the 2017 general elections come even closer.

Already, several politicians have declared their interest in vying for the gubernatorial position for Nairobi County. The race is already heating up and politicians are sharpening their tongues in preparations for the oncoming elections.

What most people are eagerly waiting, however, is how the two political divides in the country, Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and Jubilee, are going to play their cards.

The ruling party, Jubilee, lost the Nairobi gubernatorial position to Dr. Evans Kidero of Orange Democratic Movement, (ODM) during the 2012 General Elections.

The Deputy President Uhuru Kenyatta has already announced that the gubernatorial position for Nairobi County has to be taken away from the opposition by all means.

Read: Longhorn Partners With Meru County Government to Improve Education

This means that if Jubilee is going to still be in power come 2017, it is going to do everything possible to make sure that Nairobi County does not land in the hands of the opposition.

The opposition on its part has vowed that Nairobi is theirs. They have said that come 2017, they are going to maintain the position.

One may, therefore, ask, why is Nairobi so important for the two political divides?

First, Nairobi is the seat of power. Here is where power lives and stays. The House on the Hill is found in Nairobi. In reality, the President, as a resident of Nairobi is under the power of Governor Evans Kidero from the opposition. As the seat of power, the City on the Sun would have more meaning if it was under the ruling party.

Secondly, Nairobi is the economic powerhouse of almost the whole of Kenya. Before the coming of devolution, almost every decision was taken and determined in Nairobi. Even now, Nairobi remains the economic giant in Kenya where most goods come from to other regions.

Thirdly, Nairobi is the main gate to Kenya. All visitors coming from other countries have to pass through Nairobi (99 percent of them). This is the face of Kenya to the world. The world knows about Nairobi first, as the main city before mentioning other cities and towns.

Fourthly, Nairobi is the headquarters to most international organizations that are key to the operations of Nairobi.

Fifthly, Nairobi is metropolitan. Controlling Nairobi is like controlling a small Kenya that has every tribe in Kenya as well as foreigners.

Read: Next General Election Greatest Challenge to Kenyan Economy

About Juma

Juma is an enthusiastic journalist who believes that journalism has power to change the world either negatively or positively depending on how one uses it.(020) 528 0222 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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