Wage bill, water rule debate on Nakuru governor quest

Nakuru governorship candidate Lee Kinyanjui (Jubilee), flanked by Mr John Mututho (Independent), responds to a question during a debate on July 13, 2017 at Merica Hotel. Dr Peter Koros (Chama Cha Mashinani) was also present. They agreed that automation of tax collection would stop pilferage of funds. PHOTO | CAROLINE WAFULA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The three candidates engaged one another in arguments devoid of name-calling and personal attacks.
  • Dr Koros said he would push for parking spaces out of Nakuru town in order to decongest roads.

Candidates eyeing the Nakuru governor’s seat on Thursday sold their agenda to voters during a debate organised by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.

Mr Lee Kinyanjui (Jubilee), Mr John Mututho (Independent) and Dr Peter Koros (Chama Cha Mashinani) took part in the debate at Merica Hotel.

Senators James Mungai (Independent) and Ben Njoroge (Kanu) snubbed the event.

CIVIL
Mr Mungai’s running mate Stanley Karanja, who arrived moments before the kick off around 9.30am, was told to leave by debate organisers who told him it was exclusively for the governor candidates.

It was not clear why Senator Njoroge failed to show up.

The three candidates engaged one another in arguments devoid of name-calling and personal attacks.

CORRUPTION
They were questioned on their manifestos and what they intended to do in addressing water, sanitation, infrastructure and town planning challenges.

Mr Kinyanjui said his first assignment, if elected, would be to eliminate corruption in the devolved unit.

“Reduction of the large wage bill will also be top of my priorities.

"This county uses about 90 per cent of its money on wages,” the Jubilee candidate said, adding that Nakuru needed an incorruptible county boss.

RAILWAY
He also promised to involve residents in critical matters like budget-making.

“I will regularly address the county assembly. Public participation will be part of my leadership,” he said.

He pledged to ensure the standard gauge railway reached Nakuru town.

JOBS
Dr Koros said he would ensure equitable distribution of resources and promote peaceful co-existence “in our cosmopolitan county”.

Other issues discussed were unemployment, farming and licence fees.

The CCM candidate said he would move the dumpsite on Kabarak road to a safer place, saying it posed a health hazard to Nakuru residents.

DEBT
Dr Koros said he would push for parking spaces out of Nakuru town in order to decongest roads.

“We will designate particular routes for certain vehicles,” he said.

It also emerged that the county was sinking in a Sh5 billion debt.

REVENUE
The candidates seemed to read from the same script when asked how they would maximise revenue collection.

They agreed that automation of tax collection would stop pilferage of funds.

The issue of moving the more than 5,000 hawkers from the town centre cropped up, with Mr Mututho promising to provide free licences to traders and build them a complex.

GRAVES
He promised to solve the cemetery crisis by buying another piece of land.

“I do not believe in the dead being buried in storeys. Our people deserve respectable resting places,” he said, and promised to fund projects started by Governor Kinuthia Mbugua.