Nairobi County, under the leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja, is poised to implement a transformative decentralization initiative. The county’s vision involves establishing six administrative boroughs, dispersing services from the traditional City Hall to local neighborhoods. This strategic shift is designed to improve accessibility and eliminate the need for residents to travel to the city center for fundamental services.
The decision to create administrative boroughs took center stage in the recent County Cabinet meeting chaired by Governor Sakaja on January 10. A statement from the Cabinet meeting elucidated, “The administration intends to decentralize county public service through the creation of administrative boroughs.”
Lydia Mathia, Acting County Chief Officer for Borough and Sub County Administration, disclosed that the project secured a budget allocation of Ksh 340 million in the last fiscal year. Notably, Ksh 100 million is earmarked for establishing the borough centers, while an additional Ksh 40 million will be utilized to acquire vehicles for borough managers in the initial phase.
“This will shift the power from City Hall closer to the people for easy service delivery instead of city residents coming all the way to the City center,” emphasized Mathia. The move anticipates streamlined service provision, ensuring that relevant officers are stationed locally to promptly address community concerns.
The first phase of the project will witness the establishment of three borough administrative centers in strategic locations: around Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital, Kasarani, and Ruai. According to plans disclosed during Governor Sakaja’s Cabinet meeting, each borough will cover specific sub-counties and will have a dedicated center for improved coordination.
This ambitious initiative signifies a paradigm shift in Nairobi’s governance structure, aiming to empower local communities, enhance transparency, and mitigate bureaucratic hurdles associated with centralized services. As the county advances this plan, residents eagerly anticipate a more accessible and responsive system aligned with their needs.
