County Government of Nairobi

County Government of Nairobi
Name	County Government of Nairobi
Formed	2013
Jurisdiction	Nairobi
Headquarters	Nairobi City Hall
Chief1 name	Johnson Sakaja
Chief1 position	Governor of Nairobi
Chief2 name	Njoroge Muchiri
Chief2 position	Deputy Governor of Nairobi
Parent department	Government of Kenya
Website	nairobi.go.ke

County Government of Nairobi. It is the devolved administrative authority governing Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, established under the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The government operates under a framework of devolution, with executive power vested in the Governor of Nairobi and legislative authority in the Nairobi County Assembly. Its jurisdiction covers the entire Nairobi County, which is coterminous with the city, making it a unique City-county in the national administrative structure.

History

The formation of the County Government of Nairobi was a direct result of the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which dissolved the former Nairobi City Council and introduced a system of devolved governments. The first elections under the new system were held during the Kenyan general election, 2013, with Evans Kidero becoming the inaugural Governor of Nairobi. This transition marked a significant shift from the centralized local administration under the Local Government Act (Cap. 265) to a decentralized model. The period has seen leadership changes, including the tenure of Mike Sonko and the subsequent swearing-in of Johnson Sakaja following the Kenyan general election, 2022. The historical administration of the city has roots in the colonial Nairobi Township and later the Nairobi City Council, established after independence.

Structure and leadership

The structure is defined by the County Governments Act, 2012 and features an executive branch led by the Governor of Nairobi, assisted by the Deputy Governor of Nairobi and a County Executive Committee comprising members nominated by the governor and approved by the Nairobi County Assembly. The legislative arm is the Nairobi County Assembly, presided over by the Speaker of the Nairobi County Assembly, with members known as MCAs elected from wards. Key supporting offices include the County Secretary, the County Public Service Board, and independent offices like the Office of the County Attorney. The national Intergovernmental Relations Act facilitates coordination with entities like the National Government of Kenya and the Council of Governors.

Functions and responsibilities

Its core functions, as outlined in the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of Kenya, include county health services, oversight of Nairobi County Referral Hospital, and control of diseases. It is responsible for county transport, including Nairobi County roads, city planning and development through the Nairobi Metropolitan Services, and trade regulation via licenses and markets like Gikomba Market. Other key duties involve agriculture, animal control, pre-primary education, and environmental management, including solid waste management and pollution control in areas such as the Nairobi River. The government also manages cultural activities, public entertainment, and county public works.

Administrative divisions

Nairobi County is subdivided for administrative purposes into constituencies and further into wards, which form the electoral units for the Nairobi County Assembly. The major constituencies include Dagoretti North, Embakasi Central, Kasarani, Lang'ata, Makadara, Mathare, Roysambu, Ruaraka, Starehe, and Westlands. These constituencies contain numerous wards, each with an elected MCA. The county also encompasses major residential and commercial areas such as Karen, Kileleshwa, Eastleigh, and the Central Business District.

Finances and budget

Its finances are derived from several sources as per the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, including allocations from the National Treasury based on recommendations by the Commission on Revenue Allocation, equitable share of national revenue, and conditional grants. The county also generates its own revenue through local taxes, fees, and charges from services and permits. The annual budget is prepared by the County Executive Committee and must be approved by the Nairobi County Assembly, with oversight from the County Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee. Financial management is subject to audit by the Office of the Auditor-General (Kenya).

Challenges and controversies

The government has faced significant challenges, including persistent struggles with solid waste management, chronic traffic congestion, and informal settlement upgrading in areas like Kibera and Mathare. It has been involved in controversies over procurement and corruption allegations, leading to investigations by bodies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. Intergovernmental disputes, particularly with the National Government of Kenya over control of key functions, resulted in the creation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services in 2020. Other ongoing issues include water and sanitation crises, housing deficits, and security concerns within the county.

Category:County governments of Kenya Category:Nairobi Category:Government of Kenya