This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) Director-General Mohamed Badi met with ward representatives at the assembly, where he assured them of his neutrality.
Mr. Badi's assurance comes after some MCAs declared their support for him and vowed to fight those opposed to the new city agency.
The meeting was a result of the recent clashes between two groups of MCAs over budgetary allocations to the NMS and majority leadership changes.
Mr. Badi emphasized that he will neither engage in politics nor take sides, stating, "I am here as a servant, not to engage in politics or take sides. The NMS is free to engage all legislators equally as well as deliver in all the wards."
"I am here as a servant, not to engage in politics or take sides. The NMS is free to engage all legislators equally as well as deliver in all the wards," — Mohamed Badi, NMS Director-General
He also pledged to transform roads in the capital city, prioritizing slums, and asked for the MCAs' support.
Mr. Badi stated, "The NMS will deliver all road projects as long as they are within the constraints of the budget. Once a project is completed in your ward, do not be selfish. It is better to have one project done in every ward to ensure development is spread across the city."
"The NMS will deliver all road projects as long as they are within the constraints of the budget. Once a project is completed in your ward, do not be selfish. It is better to have one project done in every ward to ensure development is spread across the city," — Mohamed Badi, NMS Director-General
Speaker Beatrice Elachi proposed creating a liaison office to facilitate communication between the NMS and the assembly and recommended that a few NMS officers appear before committees to brief them on transferred functions.
Ms. Elachi also asked Maj-Gen Badi to deploy more security personnel to the assembly precincts to prevent "external forces" from causing chaos.
Mr. Badi assured that security will be enhanced.
