Nairobi Governor Candidate Mike Sonko has caused an online stir after likening his development plan for the county to Nehemiah’s accomplishment in the Bible.
In a Facebook post titled: Rebuilding The City of Nairobi, Sonko sampled Nehemiah’s character and circumstances to describe what kind of a leader he will be once elected.
Here are the similarities:
1. Leadership position and influence in the administration
Nehemiah was the Governor of Persian Judea and cup bearer to the King Artaxerxes. The role of cupbearer was given to the most trustworthy as he was to guard the king against being poisoned. His confidential relations with the King often gave him a position of great influence.
Sonko similarly is vying to become Nairobi Governor and has on several occasions pledged to be very close to President Uhuru Kenyatta even claiming he is third in command in the Jubilee administration.
2. Similar enemies
The Jerusalem wall was broken down by enemies of Israel. The collapsed wall had exposed the children of Israel to unimaginable suffering from external aggression. On hearing of their suppression, Nehemiah decided to rebuild the wall amidst stiff opposition and resistance.
Sonko has pointed out failures of the current Nairobi administration citing poor service delivery in terms of uncollected garbage, dilapidated roads and broken down drainage systems. He insisted that the current bad service coupled with a neglected youth and street families would hinder Nairobi’s growth.
He has vowed to correct all this by fighting corruption and inefficiencies in the system.
3. Timeframe
According to the Bible, Nehemiah rebuilt the wall in a record 52 days by mobilizing all his people from the old, the mighty and the lowly.
Sonko has assured that he will accomplish all his promises and reclaim Nairobi within his first term which is 5 years by having an inclusive agenda for the youth, women, and people with disabilities.
“With the Almighty God before us, our time has come to reclaim and rebuild our great city of Nairobi. And I know our success is guaranteed in the next 5 years,” Sonko’s post read.
Here's the post:
This makes Sonko the second politician to liken himself to biblical figure after Opposition leader Raila Odinga branded himself 'Joshua'. As the scripture narrates of how Joshua delivered the Israelites to the Promised Land, Canaan, Raila has created the perception that he is the Joshua to deliver Kenyans to prosperity.
