Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has moved to strengthen service delivery in the capital by introducing borough managers to oversee operations across the city. Eight candidates have been shortlisted, from which six will be appointed to manage Nairobi East, West, North, South, South East, and Central boroughs.
“We have shortlisted borough managers; eight names have already been tabled, and from them, we shall appoint six. Each manager will be responsible for their borough, ensuring that local needs such as roads, water, and other essential services are identified and addressed without unnecessary bureaucracy,” Sakaja said on Thursday.
The appointed managers will act as direct links between City Hall and residents, serving as the county’s eyes and ears in their regions. They will work closely with communities to understand concerns and coordinate with the executive to deliver practical solutions.
Cutting Bureaucracy and Improving Accountability
Once in place, the borough managers will take charge of crucial services, including roads, water supply, garbage collection, and other essentials, ensuring timely and efficient delivery.
The initiative is designed to cut bureaucratic delays, improve accountability, and empower residents to take greater ownership of local development.
“This system brings government closer to the people. It’s about understanding that what Nairobi West requires may be different from what Nairobi East needs. By localising leadership, we can ensure development is fair, focused, and effective,” the governor added.
Sakaja described the plan as part of his broader vision to make governance more inclusive and responsive to Nairobi’s diverse population. If the model succeeds, it could serve as a blueprint for urban management in other devolved cities.
A Key Campaign Promise
The borough plan was one of Sakaja’s major campaign pledges to reorder Nairobi into smaller government units for efficient delivery of services. The model mirrors New York City’s governance structure, which is divided into five boroughs – Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.
In 2023, Sakaja presented budgetary estimates for the ambitious project to the County Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, seeking Ksh 2 billion to implement the vision.
The final appointments of the borough managers are expected in the coming weeks.
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