Nairobi cannot continue to be a city in filth – Ruto vows to transform Kenya’s capital

Speaking during the Africa Inland Church Ziwani 70th Anniversary in Nairobi on Sunday, President Ruto said that he has held talks with the county leadership led by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to clean the city and make it dignified.

He said that the national government has agreed to partner with the county government of Nairobi to effect the clean up plan, adding that the private sector will also be onboarded to aid in the transformation.

“Nairobi cannot continue to be a city in the filth. We have started cleaning the Nairobi river and now we are in the final stages of signing an agreement with the private sector on how we are going to clean this city,” he said.

“We must not have mud along our roads. This city will have streetlights so that we make sure that Nairobi is clean, becomes motorable and a city in the light, not in darkness. I have committed that the national government will provide resources.”

President Ruto noted that Nairobi is a key economic hub and it must bear the appearance of a major development epicenter.

He further expressed optimism that Kenya will become a first-world nation by 2055, owing to the promising development agendas under his administration.

“In the next 30 years, Kenya will move from being a third country and will become a first-world country. We have been a third world for far too long and it is now time. By the effort of our hands and the unity of the people of Kenya we want to move this nation to a first-world country by 2055,’’ he noted.

“I have talked with almost 80% of MPs, Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta and just recently Gideon Moi on how we will move this country to a first-world country and I will continue to engage all leaders.”

He also urged Kenyans to desist from being skeptical about his ambitious plans, saying that a progressive nation must have a common goal and a united people.

“We have the ideas, the plan, the people and the resources to move this country to a first-world country in our lifetime. Let us all unite and I am persuaded beyond any reasonable doubt that we will transform this country by 2055 and that is our target.”

His sentiments come amid laments from Nairobi residents on poor infrastructure and failed county government services, demanding swift action.