President Ruto discloses govt's special interest in Nairobi County

President William Ruto during an event at the Kenya School of Government, Nairobi, on September 16, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Monday, September 16, 2024

President William Ruto revealed on Monday that the government has a keen interest in Nairobi to ensure effective service delivery.

Speaking at the Kenya School of Government, the Head of State assured Nairobi residents that the Kenya Kwanza administration has elaborate plans to address the county's education, water, sewerage and street lighting needs.

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Ruto said the government will work with Nairobi leaders to ensure the city lives up to its expectations.

"Nairobi is our capital city. As the national government, we have a special interest in Nairobi. On the provision of water in the capital city, more would be supplied from Ndaka-inì Dam and other sources to address shortages in the county and its environs," he stated.

To enhance service delivery, the President directed the Interior Ministry to designate each constituency in Nairobi as a sub-county.

According to Ruto, this would enhance service delivery and ensure that no part of the county is left behind.

"I want to announce in this meeting that every constituency in Nairobi will be a sub-county," he said while instructing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to immediately implement his directive.

"Nairobi has over five million people, and it is important that we have proper structures for better management and so that these people can no longer experience challenges that we have had for long," Ruto added.

President William Ruto launches the Nairobi River Regeneration Project in Korogocho, Nairobi on Thursday, September 12, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

The Head of State explained that over the years, this has made it difficult for the residents to access crucial services, hence the need to streamline it.

At the same time, the Head of State announced that National Government Administration Officers will play a crucial role in the restoration of the Nairobi River Basin in a government programme that begins on October 1, 2024.

In the initiative called Climate WorX, the government is committed to ensuring that the Nairobi River becomes a commercial and recreational asset.

Ruto noted that it will boost the city's reputation as the country's capital and the global environmental capital, being the host of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

"Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya and host of UNEP, cannot have Nairobi River in its current state. The pollution of Nairobi River cannot represent the face of Kenya," he said.

In addition, President Ruto also addressed the professional development of current administrative officers, assuring them that they would be considered for promotion when higher positions become available.

"In our programme to fill the positions in the administration, experience counts for us; if someone has become an assistant chief, the position of assistant county commissioner is so near because they understand their roles," Ruto said.

The President pointed out that so long as they possess the necessary qualifications and a good track record, anyone will be given priority.

"So, my instructions Prof (Kindiki), is that as you look for ACCs, give priority to those members who are chiefs now and with the requisite qualifications to move to the next level," Ruto said.

DP Rigathi Gachagua and Interior CS Kithure Kindiki interact at a meeting with village elders, assistant chiefs and the chief at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete on Monday, September 16, 2024. (Photo: Handout)