Waititu says he’ll change ‘bad’ laws if elected in Kiambu

Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu, who is eyeing the Kiambu governorship, and his running mate James Nyoro (right) address journalists after a meeting with representatives of market traders at Sahara West Hotel in Ruaka. The two vowed to review all county laws put in place by incumbent Governor William Kabogo’s administration, saying they are draconian. PHOTO | ERIC WAINAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Waititu said the current laws have hurt traders and the construction sector in the county.
  • He said the county has set high fees and levies which people are unable to cope with.
  • He added that his administration will be all-inclusive and will involve all stakeholders when drafting the new laws.
  • Mr Waititu exuded confidence that he will beat Mr Kabogo.

Kiambu Jubilee governorship candidate Ferdinand Waititu has vowed to review all the county laws put in place by incumbent Governor William Kabogo’s administration, saying they are draconian and bad for business.

Mr Waititu said the current laws have hurt traders and the construction sector in the county, adding that residents cannot cope with the high fees and levies that have often led to mass protests.

Addressing journalists after meeting representatives of market traders at Sahara West Hotel at Ruaka, the Kabete MP said if elected in August, his first mission will be to come up with new laws and regulations that will stimulate growth in all sectors in the region.

“We will do away with all laws passed by the current administration so that they can match the level of the local people because our intention is to transform the county by improving [its] economy,” Mr Waititu said.

ALL-INCLUSIVE

He added that his administration will be all-inclusive and will involve all stakeholders when drafting the new laws that will guide his government’s functions.

The new laws, he said, will reflect the will of the people.

“The current regulations are not good for business. [They] have hurt the growth of the county because the charges proposed are punitive.

“Market traders and small business holders cannot [cope with] the annual levies,” he said, adding that the construction industry has been grounded to a halt by the “demands of this regime”.

CONFIDENT TO WIN

Mr Waititu exuded confidence that he will beat Mr Kabogo who is defending the seat as an independent candidate after losing the highly coveted Jubilee ticket during party primaries in April and urged the electorate to vote Jubilee candidates only.

His running mate, James Nyoro, said the their administration will offer the county a second chance to redeem its glory which he said has faded.

Mr Nyoro said the current county leadership has not offered Kiambu what it deserves making it to be ranked among those performing poorly.

Their vision for Kiambu he said, is to make it a model county with a status equivalent to Singapore through improvement of infrastructure, improving agriculture, job creation and creating local and regional networks which will be beneficial to the county.

“This is the time to redeem ourselves so that we can bring back the glory of Kiambu and the pride of the people of Kiambu,” said Mr Nyoro.