NMS boss on mission to transform a ‘rotten city’ 

In November, Nairobi will have a new look, with several new bus termini connecting various transport routes to the city , BRT buses and light trains.

Focused on easing Nairobi’s perennial traffic gridlock, the upcoming city will not allow a single matatu into the CBD.

Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) also wants to put up 24 new hospitals in informal settlements, with Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital tipped for level five upgrade, according to the vision shared by NMS Director-General Major-General Mohamed Badi.

The air force major-general was appointed to rectify the misdeeds of Governor Mike Sonko and other former city fathers.

“I saw a lot of suffering in the city especially in informal settlements. It’s my duty to deliver. I’m not looking for votes. I’ve taken this as a national duty,” Mr Badi said in an interview broadcast by NTV, and which Governor Sonko condemned.

“Do your work as President Uhuru Kenyatta advised you. I never failed anywhere,” Mr Sonko said in reaction to Mr Badi’s assertion that the governor had let the city down.

“This was a partnership... for Nairobians to continue enjoying service delivery as I deal with my court cases. This is not a military takeover,” Mr Sonko said.

The NMS boss says that at times politicians misinterpret what the agency is doing.

“When politicians see you serve common citizens, they think that you’re cutting down their influence. I’ve no problem with Governor Sonko. I’m doing this job on his behalf,” Mr Badi said.

City makeover

While acknowledging challenges in fixing ‘a rotten city’, Major-General Badi said he has dedicated all his time to working for the people of Nairobi.

“I was sworn in in the afternoon and started working that night. I work on all days of the week, from 7am, and I get home past 9pm. Within the first 200 days in office, we have managed to achieve over 100 per cent of what we intended to,” he said.

Maj-Gen Badi clarified that cross-cutting issues such as those relating to finance and administration were solved following a recent court ruling that recognised the NMS as created constitutionally. The judge ruled that he take all the four functions that were in dispute.

“I’m now focused on my work. When it’s done, the common citizen will not care whether it was done by a member of the disciplined forces or a civilian,” the NMS boss said.

“I inherited the plans which had never been implemented,” he said, adding, he was actualising plans that have existed for several years. 

In the plan to have extra 24 hospitals in the city, he said, NMS is putting up 19 new facilities. 

He added that the NMS bought 22 water browsers for use in the supply of water in the city as they seek long-term solutions for persistent water shortages. 

The city makeover will see new bus termini with facilities such as eateries and washrooms, and the Nairobi Railway Station will be renamed Railway City.