Mtetezi Calls for Debate on Nairobi’s Future Governance

Grassroots economic justice movement, Mtetezi has called for a national conversation on whether Nairobi should continue operating as a county or be restructured into a special metropolitan capital city to reflect its growing national and regional role.

According to the civil actors of the movement, the debate is necessary as the capital continues to expand beyond its administrative borders while still being governed under the same devolved framework as other counties.

Led by Francis Awino, they stated that Nairobi functions as the country’s political and economic hub, but its governance structure does not fully reflect the scale of its responsibilities.

“Nairobi plays a role far beyond that of an ordinary county, yet it continues to operate under the same administrative framework as all other devolved units,” he said.

The group argues that the capital already functions as the centre of a vast metropolitan region stretching into neighboring counties such as Kiambu County, Machakos County and Kajiado County.

Everyday thousands of workers commute from towns like Ruiru, Thika, Kitengela, Ngong, Athi River and Syokimau into the city, while businesses and transport networks operate across county lines.

Despite this interconnected urban system, planning and governance remain fragmented among separate county administrations.

Mtetezi says this has created structural challenges where Nairobi’s infrastructure supports millions of commuters who live outside the county while urban planning decisions affecting the wider metropolitan region are made independently by different governments.

The organization also notes that as the capital city, Nairobi hosts national government institutions, diplomatic missions and international organizations, responsibilities that go beyond those of a typical county government.

Governance challenges in Nairobi have led to repeated interventions by the national government over the past two decades.

In 2008, during the presidency of Mwai Kibaki, the government created the Nairobi Metropolitan Ministry to coordinate regional development as the city expanded into surrounding counties.

More than a decade later, the administration of Uhuru Kenyatta established Nairobi Metropolitan Services in 2020 following a breakdown in service delivery within the city administration.

Under the arrangement, several county functions were temporarily transferred to the national government to restore services such as roads, sanitation and urban planning.

More recently, the government of William Ruto has pursued a cooperation framework with Johnson Sakaja aimed at strengthening joint investment in infrastructure, transport systems and sanitation services in the capital.

According to Mtetezi, these repeated interventions point to a deeper structural issue linked to Nairobi’s metropolitan character.

The movement says the country now needs an open discussion on whether the current governance model adequately serves the capital.

One option would be to maintain Nairobi as a county under the devolved system while strengthening cooperation with neighbouring counties and the national government.

Another option would be to transform Nairobi into a special metropolitan capital city, similar to governance models used in global capitals such as Washington, D.C., London and Abuja.

Such cities operate under administrative frameworks designed to reflect their dual roles as local municipalities and national capitals.

Under a metropolitan governance structure, Nairobi could be administered as a metropolitan capital territory responsible for managing the city’s urban core while maintaining democratic representation.

A regional authority could also be created to coordinate planning across Nairobi and neighboring counties in areas such as transport, housing development, environmental protection and economic infrastructure.

Mtetezi says such a system could also formalize coordination between the national government and the capital city in areas including security, diplomacy and large-scale infrastructure.

The organization emphasized that the debate is not about weakening devolution but about ensuring the governance of Kenya’s capital reflects its unique realities.

It called for residents, businesses, civil society organizations, urban planners and policymakers to participate in shaping the future governance structure of Nairobi.

“As the city continues to grow and the metropolitan region expands, Kenya must confront a fundamental question: what governance structure will best serve Nairobi and the nation in the decades ahead?” Awino added.

Mtetezi said the conversation should involve citizens not only within Nairobi but also those living in neighboring counties whose economies and daily lives are closely tied to the capital.