- The four functions had on March 2020 been transferred to National Government after Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko stripped off key powers
- Former President Uhuru Kenyatta would therefore appoint General Badi to implement the county health services, county transport services, county public works and county physical planning and development synchronized at NMS
- Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko had been impeached by County Assembly Members, the removal which was upheld by the Senate Assembly
The Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Lt General Mohamed Badi today handed over the four functions transferred to National Government back to the Nairobi County Government led by Governor Johnson Sakaja.
In his speech on Friday, 30th September, Badi thanked His Excellency Former President Uhuru Kenyatta for bestowing him the noble responsibility of spearheading the transformation of the great City of Nairobi in the capacity of Director General of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services.
Without mincing words, he outlined the projects achieved during his two years tenure that has improved the livelihoods of Nairobi people; top of the list is the construction of 20 new Level II and III health facilities, most of which were stationed in low-income and marginalized areas in Nairobi.
According to the outgoing Director General, this has increased health facilities from the initial 102 as of 2020 to 119. “NMS embarked on the expansion of the existing health facilities through the construction of additional ICU’s at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and extra wards dedicated to COVID-19 response in various facilities.
We maintained this Establishment and Upgrading of Health Facilities through our tenure including completion of Mama Margret Kenyatta Hospital that had stalled for over 3 decades,,” Mohamed Badi said.
Additionally, with support from the National Government and in collaboration with other State Agencies, NMS oversaw the sinking of 193 boreholes in the informal settlements in Nairobi that provided much-needed access to water. NMS also acquired 29 water bowsers that increased the much-needed supply of water, as well as acquired 13 new ambulances.
Invariably, through the Public Service Commission, NMS employed medical and other staff to ensure seamless service delivery. Under the Universal Health Care program, NMS identified over 326,000 vulnerable people for NHIF support, with 66,000 households already enjoying the services.
Additionally, NMS has enhanced the provision of health finance and medical equipment, capacity building of human resources for Health, and formulation of health policies and bills to improve service delivery.
Roads, Transport and Public Works
According to the newsroom’s letter, NMS has constructed over 350km of roads, rehabilitated over 100km of roads, maintained over 88km of roads, and developed over 20km of Non-motorized transport corridors that have enhanced efficient transportation of people, goods, and services. NMS also constructed 3 footbridges and 5 motorable bridges to enhance vehicular and pedestrian passage.
“As part of the strategy to decongest the Central Business District (CBD) and in line with the recommendations contained in the Nairobi Integrated Urban Master Pan (NIUPLAN), NMS commenced the construction of six (6) Bus Termini outside the CBD. NMS has completed the construction of Green Park, Park Road, Desai Road, and Westlands Bus Termini.
NMS also rehabilitated Muthurwa, Kangemi, and Hakata Bus termini,” He added.
He sought the County Government to complete the other Bus Termini and operationalize all to achieve the desired outcome, emphasizing the commissioning of the Kangundo Road Asphalt plant that continues to provide material for constructing, upgrading, and re-carpeting of city roads at a much lower cost.
Lands, Housing, Planning & Urban Renewal, Urban Planning, and Development
The KDF Man said NMS Surveyed 6,863 county-allotted plots and processed a total of 13,834 land lease documents. Under the National Titling Program, 7,248 titles were processed and are currently issued to Nairobi landowners.
“In order to bring services closer to the people, NMS partnered with the Judiciary to construct four (4) small claims courts in Nairobi. Four (4) sites, including Mihango, Kasarani, Dagoretti South, and Huruma, were surveyed to establish Small Claims Courts, whose construction is still underway.
NMS also rehabilitated County rental flats in Jamhuri, Buruburu, and Kariobangi South estates. Further, we upgraded 8 markets and trading services: Muthurwa, Wakulima, Landhies Road, Toi Market, Embakasi Village, Kariobangi South, Kayole Spine, and Jericho,” The lieutenant General inked.
He also said that it had improved their aesthetics and enhanced the dignity of Nairobi residents, where plans were underway to rehabilitate all other County houses.
“To afford residents decent Housing, we embarked on the Pangani and Jeevanjee Housing Projects, where Pangani alone will deliver 1,562 housing units with the first blocks already complete and ready for occupancy. Jeevanjee will generate 1,830 units with 8 more estates earmarked for development through Public Private Partnership,” He added.
NMS prioritized efficiency in processing development control applications, which resulted in the clearance of over 5,400 development applications within 100 days and the development of an On-Line platform to handle development control in Nairobi.
The introduction and use of the Quick Response Code (QR) have eliminated the need for manual stamping and signing approval permits.
This was in line with the automation of services and access under one platform hence the establishment of Nairobi Revenue Services, NRS through which I laud the Kenya Revenue Authority for its notable efforts to streamline and increase revenue collection in the capital.
Environment, Water, and Sanitation
In order to restore the City’s title of “the green city under the sun,” NMS employed robust environmental practices aimed at restoring the City’s lost glory through sustainable waste management and proliferation of green infrastructure.
In this period, NMS increased garbage collection to 3,000 tons per day from a previous average of 1,800 tons per day, boosted by the reactivation of 35 grounded solid waste collection trucks, which have greatly enhanced the County’s solid waste collection capacity.
In collaboration with other government agencies, NMS eliminated illegal dumpsites and rehabilitated them, thereby enhancing the greenery in the City. We also constructed two (2) Material Recovery Facilities in Muthurwa Market and Mowlem, which are at 40% and 60%, respectively.
These have been done using internal capacity. Plans were underway to commence construction of another six (6) in various sub-counties in Nairobi.
The rehabilitation of Michuki Park, Uhuru Park, and Central park, which had been left in a dilapidated state for years, has seen the upgrading of the public parks into world-class recreational facilities.
The revitalization of Jeevanjee gardens is currently at 60% completion, while the ornamental plant/flower nursery at City Park is at 70% complete.
NMS undertook beautification and landscaping projects alongside development works, including the newly constructed hospital compounds, bus termini, and non-motorized transport corridors.
In the water sector, NMS has ensured an uninterrupted supply of free water in all informal settlements, with an average of 900,000 liters distributed daily. This has helped improve sanitation, fight COVID-19, and ensure the provision of much-needed water free of charge.
Energy Reticulation and Public Lighting
NMS adopted a holistic urban lighting approach that entailed installing and replacing faulty and vandalized lights across the City. An average of 6,000 lights were revived every month. We dedicated transformers for flood light masts were installed in Mukuru Kwa Njenga informal settlement area, increasing service reliability from 42% to 85%.
Additionally, NMS provided electrical engineering services by maintaining electrical installation in County public facilities.
Along with improving the citizens’ quality of life, Nairobi Metropolitan Services created employment for hundreds of people, particularly the youth, and firmly defended Nairobi’s place as the preferred destination to live, work, tour, and invest in. I leave behind a progressive city that holds a promise for future generations to come.
On his part, Governor Sakaja thanked General Badi for achieving such milestones in a short period. He assured to keep the candle burning for the people of Nairobi to access and enjoy much-desired services.
“On behalf of the County Government of Nairobi, we shall deliver to wanjiku, our call service to humanity is undoubtedly going to be realized and felt in all parts of this great City of Nairobi,” Sakaja reiterated