This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) Director-General Mohamed Badi has been at the center of a heated debate in the Nairobi County Assembly.
On Thursday, June 25, 2020, Badi paid a courtesy call to Speaker Beatrice Elachi and several MCAs, where he assured them of his neutrality in the assembly's affairs.
"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," Badi said.
His assurance comes after some MCAs declared their support for him, stating that they would fight those opposed to the new city agency.
However, the assembly was a no-go zone on Thursday as two groups of MCAs clashed over budgetary allocations to the NMS and majority leadership changes.
On matters development, Badi pledged to transform roads in the capital city, with priority areas being slums. He asked the MCAs for their support in this endeavor.
"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," he said.
Minority leader and Karen MCA David Mberia also requested the NMS to prioritize infrastructure development, particularly the completion of road projects, in all the 85 wards.
"We are requesting the NMS to ensure Wanjiku gets better roads," Mberia said.
Speaker Elachi also asked Badi to deploy more security personnel to the assembly precincts to prevent "external forces" from storming in and causing chaos.
"The assembly needs more security to prevent goons from taking over. All legislators and staff should feel safe within the precincts," she said.
