Maj-Gen Mohamed Abdala takes charge of Nairobi County functions

Maj-Gen Mohamed Abdala takes charge of Nairobi County functions

The National Government has officially taken charge of the key functions of the Nairobi County Government that were handed over by embattled Governor Mike Sonko.

And to operationalize implementation of the Deed of Transfer of Functions from the County Government to the National Government, President Uhuru Kenyatta has created the Office of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) which will be led by Maj. General Mohamed Abdalla Badi as the Director General.

Maj-Gen Mohamed Abdala, who will be deputised by Enosh Onyango Momanyi, has been tasked with among other duties to bring an end to corruption and dismantle the cartels that have hindered the city’s development.

The official transfer of the county functions including Health, Transport, Public Works and Urban Planning services was held on Wednesday at State House, Nairobi.

President Kenyatta declared his full backing for the military man in the delivery of the critical services to Nairobi residents.

“I know this is a tall order but I pledge that I will ensure that you are fully supported by government in all ways possible to ensure you achieve this goal,” said the Head of State.

The President tasked the NMS team to immediately begin working on streamlining urban renewal projects that have been previously awarded before 2018 and have continually been delayed.

“The NMS should review these projects such as Jeevanjee, Pangani and others and make determination on how they can take off, realising that development of these projects is part of the recently concluded Eastlands Urban Renewal Master plan,” said Kenyatta.

The President further wants the NMS team to put focus on implementation of the Nairobi Railway Master plan which seeks to create and redevelop about 425 acres of land around the Nairobi Railways station with an aim of creating ” a world-class, multi-modal node within the Nairobi Central Business District.”

Kenyatta wants this project kickstarted within the next 100 days.

“To this end, this area has been gazetted as a Special Planning Area to pave way for preparatory planning and works for the implementation of the Nairobi Railway City plans. Over the next 100 days, the NMS team should work closely with relevant institutions to establish the Railway City Development Authority and identify the anchor projects and investors for this re-development project,” he said.

The NMS team has also been directed to concentrate on streamlining development control and approvals for the County and implement an urgent action plan to clear backlogs for approvals.

“They should also fully operationalize the e-Construction and e-Permit systems and in this way, reduce the number of delays arising for investors from development control approvals,” he said.

Kenyatta also wants the NMS to work very closely with the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA) to implement the Nairobi Urban Mobility Plan and effect the non-motorized transport (NMT) goals within the plan, which include providing paved walkways, street furniture, and improved conditions for pedestrians on foot and/or cycling.

To enhance non-motorised transport in the city, the President wants the NMS to construct walkways along three major pedestrian streets at Muindi Mbingu Street, Wabera Street, and Kenyatta Avenue.

In addition, NMS has been asked to operationalize two matatu termini at Desai Road and Park Road in order to stem the use of city streets as parking for matatus.

To further improve traffic management and help in decongesting the CBD, NMS has been asked to rehabilitate and reintroduce the use of traffic signals.

The team has also been asked to introduce automated, hourly car parking facilities at Central Bus Station (along Landhies Road), Sunken Car Park (along Aga Khan Walk), and the Nairobi Law Courts Parking (along City Hallway).

On waste management, the President has directed the Maj-Gen Abdalla led team to focus on operationalizing effective garbage collection and disposal methods that will include a collaboration with the National Youth Service.

Kenyatta wants NMS to reactivate county garbage collection vehicles, trucks and other equipment that have been grounded and only require minimum repair to be able to increase the level of service from the County.

“NMS should ensure that there is a crackdown on illegal dumpsites and enforcement on affluent discharge from industry and restaurants,” he stated.

Leaders present at the event included Governor Sonko, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, Attorney General Paul Kihara, KRA boss James Mburu among others.

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