Businesswoman Agnes Kagure launches bid for Nairobi governorship

Her humble beginnings living in city slums Mathare and Dandora, Kagure says, has given her first-hand experience of the kind of hardships city dwellers go through just to make a living, as such she is aware of changes that need to be implemented to revive the Capital’s fortunes.

“I want to dedicate my life to improving Nairobi, to move you from the city of lamentation to the city of jubilation,” Kagure said in her address at Kasarani Stadium.

Kagure, who was accompanied by Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi, proceeded to give a five-point plan she will use to chart Nairobi’s future should she emerge victorious at the upcoming polls.

The plan focuses on improving safety, expanding manufacturing, creating jobs, revamping water sources and reorganizing public transport in the city.

“I will focus on providing clean water supply, good sanitation and reliable healthcare services. Clean drinking water is a safe bet for better hygiene and access to it has an impact on the quality of human health,” she said.

She similarly pledged to improve safety and security throughout the city in an effort to reduce crime and encourage closer community policing.

In collaboration with the private sector, Kagure said she will facilitate the establishment of new investments in the manufacturing sector and support city-based SMEs. Areas reserved for businesses, Kagure added, will also be more accessible and well serviced so as to attract both foreign and local investors.

Kagure also underscored that she would strive to address traffic congestion in the city which she says is an impediment to Nairobi’s social-economic growth while also promising to create a million jobs for youth in her first five years in office.

Following her declaration, Kagure now joins current Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu and Senator Johnson Sakaja, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, Makadara MP George Aladwa, former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru and Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) President Richard Ngatia, who are all eyeing the top position at City Hall.