Dagoretti North aspirants during a forum with aspirants in Nairobi/HANDOUTResidents from all five wards of Dagoretti North Constituency have presented their priorities to parliamentary aspirants seeking to represent the area in the 2027 General Election.
The residents met the aspirants on Friday during the inaugural Nairobi Agenda Citizens’ Forum – Dagoretti North, convened by Metro Alliance at Morningside Office Park along Ngong Road.
The forum brought together residents and community leaders from Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Kabiro, Gatina and Kawangware wards.
According to Metro Alliance, the meeting was designed as a listening and accountability platform rather than a political rally or candidates’ debate.
Residents used the forum to communicate their concerns directly to those seeking the parliamentary seat, while the aspirants were given an opportunity to explain how they would address the priorities if elected.
Among the issues raised by residents were safe communities, reliable basic services, functioning roads, drainage and lighting.
They also identified planned development, environmental protection, accessible health and education services, youth opportunities and inclusion of persons with disabilities as priorities.
Residents further called for meaningful public participation and transparent and accountable public service delivery.
Metro Alliance said each participating aspirant was given an equal opportunity to respond to the concerns and indicate whether they were prepared to adopt, champion and pursue the residents’ priorities.
Speaking after the forum, Metro Alliance chairman Ndirangu Maina said the meeting was intended to change how political engagement is conducted.
“The purpose of this forum was to change the usual order of political engagement. Citizens should not merely listen to candidates making promises; candidates must first listen to the people they seek to represent,” Maina said.
“The priorities of residents must form the foundation of leadership and representation,” he added.Dagoreti North aspirants for the MP seat during a forum with residents under metro alliance/HANDOUT
Maina said the forum was not intended to endorse any candidate or serve as a campaign rally.
“This was not an endorsement of any candidate, nor was it a campaign rally. Metro Alliance remains strictly non-partisan,” he said.
He said the organisation’s role was to provide a platform where residents could be heard and aspirants could respond to their concerns.
“Our role is to provide a fair platform on which residents can be heard, aspirants can respond and, ultimately, elected leaders can be held accountable against the commitments they make,” Maina said.
Six parliamentary aspirants participated in the forum. They were Alan Masakhalia, Bright Shitemi, Edwin Mawira, Mirimo Nyongesa, Robert Alai and Vincent Ombaka.
The forum ended with the signing of the Member of Parliament Accountability Pact by each aspirant.
Under the pact, the aspirants committed, if elected, to listen and consult, raise residents’ concerns in national policy and legislative processes, participate in legislation and national budget and oversight processes, engage relevant institutions and report back to residents.
Metro Alliance said similar citizens’ forums will form part of the wider Nairobi Agenda, an initiative intended to place residents at the centre of conversations on the governance, development and future of Nairobi.Chairman Metro Alliance Ndirangu Maina/HANDOUT