Businesswoman Agnes Kagure launches Nairobi gubernatorial bid

Businesswoman Agnes Kagure has formally announced her bid to run for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the August 9 General Election.

Ms Kagure on Friday unveiled a five-point agenda aimed at improving the lives of Nairobi residents if elected governor.

If elected, she has vowed to ease traffic jams in the city by reorganising the public transport, improve security and create 200,000 new jobs annually for the next five years.

She promised to revamp water supply, sanitation, and healthcare and expand manufacturing and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Coming from a “humble” background, Ms Kagure says, she has experienced in “equal measure” both the “disgrace and the majesty” of the capital city, circumstances that she says have “encouraged her to vie” for the top county seat.

From a househelp living in the dingy houses to a manager living in the leafy suburbs, and now a politician, she said that she identifies with all city residents.

Speaking on Friday at Kasarani Stadium when she launched her bid, Ms Kagure said her life experiences have greatly shaped her life and fuelled her passion to serve as Nairobi’s next governor.

“I want to dedicate my life to improve Nairobi and to move you from the city of lamentation to the city of jubilation,” Ms Kagure said.

She, however, did not name the party whose ticket she would be vying.

With the race for Nairobi governor in the August 9 General Election gaining momentum, the 47-year-old businesswoman joins Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi Senator), and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru (former Starehe MP) and Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands MP) in their quest to succeed Governor Ann Kananu.

In 2018, Ms Kagure was among four women including Karen Nyamu, Jane Weru and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru picked by former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko to deputise him.

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