President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, March 18, announced the establishment of Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), a government agency tasked with overseeing functions transferred to the national government by the Governor Mike Sonko-led County Government of Nairobi.
Speaking at a ceremony to seal the transfer of functions at State House, Nairobi, Uhuru named Major-General Mohammed Badi Ali as the Director-General of the NMS.
Uhuru further announced that Enosh Onyango Momanyi would serve as the Deputy Director-General.
Ali is a decorated Kenya Air Force (KAF) General with several years of experience, having served in several high-ranking positions within the military.
In July 2014, then Colonel Mohammed Badi Ali was promoted by President Uhuru Kenyatta to the rank of Brigadier.
He was further appointed to serve as the Base Commander at Moi Air Base in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
The change was part of a major shake-up in the military that saw several other individuals promoted including Brigadier Francis Omondi Ogolla who was appointed Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force.
In yet another shake-up in May 2019, Brigadier Ali was promoted to the rank of Major-General by the president.
He was also appointed to serve as Senior Directing Staff - Air at the National Defence College (NDC).
Ali's appointment is the latest show of trust in military and intelligence men by President Kenyatta.
Some of the senior offices occupied by former members of either the military or intelligence service include the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) and the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS).
Speaking at State House, Uhuru tasked Ali with eliminating corrupt cartels hindering service delivery to residents of Nairobi.
"The biggest problem that the city faces is corruption and cartels that have a vice-like grip. From the collection of garbage to issuance of permits, the cartels have made service delivery almost impossible.
“Nairobians are hardworking and industrious people, for Nairobi to continue on this path, it is paramount that they get efficient and timely services.
"This isn’t a one-man job, we must work together, I look forward to seeing positive results in the shortest time possible," he stated.
Uhuru went on to task Haji with a number of immediate objectives including the implementation of a solid waste management plan and construction of pedestrian walkways in the city.
