Keeping Score
Two aspirants have emerged as front-runners in the race for the post of Nairobi Governor: Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) Dr. Evans Kidero and The National Alliance’s (TNA) Ferdinand Waititu, who both represent different faces of the Nairobi populace. The two bumped heads for the first time in January when they met for a national televised debate.
Based on his grasp of factual and statistical knowledge, Dr. Evans Kidero may have gotten the better of his opponent, but basing on the majority of social media web sites the populist appeal of Waititu might win over the majority of the voters. According to University of Nairobi Communications Lecturer and Political Commentator, Sam Kamau, previous political showdowns between the intellectual elitist and the populist “man of the people” usually favor the latter.
“Although the gubernatorial position is mainly administrative, it wholly depends on political dynamics. It presents a scenario like the Mbeki-Zuma duel, pitting a polished intellectual who’s perceived to be out of touch with the majority commoners and a populist who resonates with the poor masses,” Kamau says. Based on their track record and political programs we have pinned the two candidates against each other and tried to choose who comes out on top. Come March, the choice
| CATEGORY | FERDINAND WAITITU | DR. EVANS KIDERO |
| Infrastructure and Environment |
Waititu expresses his wish for all Nairobians to enjoy basic infrastructure, water and sewerage facilities. He plans to give slums the priority in setting up facilities like roads, schools and hospitals. While these are points that are hard to disagree with, the concrete policy initiatives for this seems to be lacking. Serving as deputy mayor of Nairobi and Assistant Minister for years we have not seen many efforts to improve these conditions. Score |
Kidero would restore Nairobi’s aesthetic glory by getting rid of garbage and open sewers. He plans to introduce a comprehensive development plan to include informal settlements and slums. He hopes to expand the road network and seal potholes on roads. Kidero comes out on top because he seems to have an indepth knowledge of the city’s blueprints for infrastructure and where it is lacking. I.e. he has pointed out that one of the big challenges for improving infrastructure in the slums is that they are actually not included in any plans. He is yet to prove his pledges. |
| Economic Plan | Waititu aims to eliminate bureaucracies in setting up small businesses. He also proposes that those businesses with less than KES 2 million should be exempted from taxation. He also pledges to address unemployment among the youth and women, as well as setting up informal markets. Waititu is lacking a financial plan to follow through in these promises. Tax exemptions are always popular with voters however it seems unlikely that he can deliver on this. Scores |
Kidero hopes to raise the GDP per capita of the city to match the ‘Asian Tigers’. “The only difference between Singapore and Kenya is management and governance…” says Kidero who also hopes to attract investments. Though untested, a policy to match and compete globally will in the long run benefit the county as a whole. |
| Street Credibility | Born in Kibera he identifies with low-income earners and slum dwellers. Has been vocal in opposing demolition of informal housing (where the majority of Nairobians live). Waititu wins hands down in this department due to his past ‘heroic’ |
Although he is born in Majengo, Kidero is perceived to be pro-elitist and middle class. This stems from his education and “urban” intellect and eloquence. He defends himself by saying, “One just needs to go down to informal settlements and ask them who Kidero is…I’m always there.” By defending himself, Kidero confirms that indeed he has to do more to gain street acceptance. |
| Healthcare Policy | Waititu pledges to improve basic facilities in the city such as toilets and sewerage in slums. Waititu has failed to |
Kidero has a vision of addressing basic hygiene factors. Though with a background in medicine, he has not expounding on how to implement his vision, neither has he outlined it. |
| Track Record | As Deputy Mayor, MP Assistant Minister, Waititu started schools and dispensaries. Boasts of reclaiming grabbed lands and setting up a hospital. (Most of these are in underprivileged Nairobi neighbourhoods). However, much of Waititu’s work is undocumented making it hard to verify. |
Smithkline Beechams’ establishments in over 40 African countries. He is also credited for bringing Mumias Sugar back to profitability and status as a major sugar miller in East and Central Africa. |
| Plans for Education Sector |
Waititu plans to set up more schools in the slums. He aims to stem school dropout rate by classifying secondary classes into A, B and C to accommodate all students. He loses by virtue of not expounding on how effective his education plan will be and does not cite where they have been tested and worked. |
double the number of secondary school. He also hopes to set up more polytechnics to provide more educational avenues. Kidero gains by the ability to state the cause and effect of certain educational policies and their impact. He also has statistical backing that can stand scrutiny. |
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