Nairobi water workers embroiled in leadership dispute threaten to strike

Workers at the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) have threatened to strike over a management crisis. The workers are demanding that Nairobi County Assembly and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, intervene to prevent the extension of the company’s managing director, Nahashon Muguna's, term.

The Kenya Union of Water and Sewerage Employees (Kuwase) argues that Muguna is unlawfully seeking to remain in office for another three years despite having already reached the retirement age of 60.

Kuwase General Secretary Elijah Awach said the union has formally raised its concerns with several authorities, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and the County Assembly.

"As a partner and key stakeholder, and on behalf of all workers at the company, we are opposed to the extension of contracts as there are many qualified people within and outside the company who can steer NCWSC to greater heights,” Awach said.

The union’s Branch Secretary, Wycliffe Onditi, further criticised the Nairobi water board’s decision to extend Muguna’s term, claiming that the board lacks the authority to make such a decision as none of its members are permanent employees of the water company.

“The MD has already attained the age of 60 years and he should proceed on terminal leave. Why should he be in office when other people can take over the management of the company? The board is saying he is the only one with institutional memory to run the company. We are not going to tolerate this and he should hand over and leave,” Onditi said.

Kuwase claims the board approved Muguna’s contract extension during a meeting on November 6, 2024, in violation of the Public Service Act, which mandates the retirement of government employees over 60 years old.

Muguna was first appointed as acting MD in May 2017, before being confirmed in the role in 2020. His tenure was initially set to expire in nine months, but he sought an extension.

The union has warned that it will resist any efforts by Muguna to remain in the position.

According to the Public Service Act, the CEO or managing director of a state corporation seeking reappointment must express their interest in writing at least six months before the end of their term.

The board must then evaluate their performance and submit a report to the appointing authority with a recommendation on whether to renew or terminate the contract.

In cases where a renewal is not recommended, the CEO is required to go on terminal leave six months before their term ends to allow for the recruitment of a new leader.

Last week, both Kuwase leadership and Muguna appeared before the County Assembly’s Water Committee to discuss the issue.

However, the session was adjourned as the committee requested more time to review documents provided by the MD. Water Committee Chairperson Kenned Oyugi stated that the committee needed additional time to go through the materials.

Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok has also voiced concerns, asserting that Muguna should retire to avoid promoting corruption.

“We are nurturing corruption when we allow our employees not to proceed on leave. Muguna has stayed in the position for too long and should do the honourable thing and retire,” Imwatok said.