Since the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director General Mohammed Badi took over several functions previously held by Governor Mike Sonko, the members of the County Executive Committee (CECs) have been pushed to the periphery, struggling to find a footing.
While some junior level workers were transferred from the county government to NMS, a large portion of senior officers were seconded from the national government.
According to an NMS communications officer who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke Tuesday, November 17, the agency hired Directors to take over functions previously held by Governor Sonko’s Cabinet.
One of the CECs confided to Kenyans.co.ke that since his functions were transferred to the NMS, he was left performing general administrative duties.
“There is nothing,” he responded to a query about what projects he has been supervising, adding that he has only been enjoying personal relationships with some of the staff he used to deal with since NMS had taken over their professional needs.
He intimated that Governor Sonko last called for a Cabinet meeting two months ago, and did not usually follow any schedule.
The CEC’s colleague also stated that NMS had pushed them to the periphery and collaboration was almost non-existent.
“I supervise those projects we launched before the agency came into the picture but I do it alone,” he stated.
In July Governor Sonko vowed to continue implementing his manifesto which included projects he had already commissioned before Badi’s appointment.
Some of the projects included road upgrades and construction of stadia - all of which are functions that were transferred to NMS.
"My administration is renovating City Stadium and will construct 3 other stadia in Kihumbuini Kangemi, Ziwani Kariokor Ward and Woodley within a period of 1 year," Sonko stated.
Nairobi County Director of Communications explained that CECs’ would only lose their jobs if fired by Sonko and thus were still earning their hefty pay.
After signing away the key functions, Sonko’s administration was left to oversee minor roles such as Agriculture, animal welfare, pre-primary education and coordination of the participation of communities in governance.
According to constitutional lawyer Kamotho Waiganjo, the NMS takeover left the county with roles that do not require the CECs and their chief officers to execute.
