Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has unveiled plans to build new social halls across the county, an initiative designed to support talent development, enhance social care, and address various community needs. This development reflects the county’s commitment to providing inclusive spaces that cater to diverse community interests and services.
The county will construct four new social halls in key locations: Gatina Ward, Mabatini Ward, Umoja 1 Primary School, and the Dandora II Youth Complex. These facilities will be designed to accommodate a range of activities and services. Additionally, there are ongoing projects at Kahawa West and the Mwiki Multi-Storey Social Hall, further expanding the county’s network of community spaces.
Rosemary Kariuki, the executive in charge of Talents, Skills Development, and Social Care, outlined the features of the new facilities. Each social hall will include offices, meeting rooms, washrooms, facilities for the disabled, changing rooms, and safe spaces for children and youth. A kitchen area will also be incorporated to support community events and activities.
Governor Sakaja emphasized the importance of community involvement in the planning and utilization of these new social halls. He stressed that the county aims to engage local youth and community members in defining the design and functions of the spaces. This participatory approach is intended to ensure that the facilities meet the actual needs and preferences of the residents.
“We want to involve the young people in these communities in describing the spaces they’d like and the activities they want to engage in,” Sakaja explained. “We seek these engagements so that they can own the spaces from utility and activity design.”
The management of these social halls will be handled by Assistant Welfare Officers, who will work alongside community representatives. Their role will be to oversee the daily operations of the facilities and ensure that they serve the community effectively.
Currently, Nairobi County operates 29 social halls across various locations.
