Why Nairobi Governor Sakaja wants second office at CBK Pension Towers

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja now seeks a second office at the CBK Pension Towers.

According to Priscilla Mahinda, the Chief Officer in the office of the governor, the governor needs a workspace that accommodates both administrative tasks and public engagements.

She spoke when she appeared before the County Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

"We have realised the need for the governor to have space where he can balance between meeting the people and doing the paperwork as the CEO of the county," she explained.

County Attorney Cristine Ireri cited lack of concentration and inadequate safety measures at Sakaja’s current office at City Hall as key reasons for the move.

"Sometimes it's very difficult to concentrate on work and meet deadlines when there are constant interruptions," she said.

Ireri told the committee that the governor’s office at City Hall would still be retained.

" We are not moving the official office.  The governor will still retain his City Hall office" she said

She said they currently face challenges of balancing public service with the need for focused work.

"We cannot turn away people from the office, but it's essential to have time to concentrate on our responsibilities," Ireri said.

Mahinda said the recent Gen Z protests in June and July had a mental impact on their operations.

"We were also very mentally affected during that period when one of the offices next to the governor's office was set on fire," she said.

Just moments after a section of Parliament was set ablaze on June 25, 2024, Governor Sakaja’s office at City Hall was engulfed in flames.

However, MCAs raised concerns regarding the implications of the proposal for a second governor’s office.

"If the governor moves out of his official working office, it raises questions about the need for another gazetted location," said Jared Akama, the chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

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He pointed out that the confusion could arise for residents, as the official office is known to be at City Hall.

But Akama acknowledged that City Hall had acquired two floors at CBK Pension Towers for its staff due to space limitations at City Hall Annexe.

He noted that this arrangement has been in place since the tenure of former governor Mike Sonko.

"While there is a need for more office space, the purpose of the governor's proposed second office needs to be clearly defined," Akama said.