This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
On May 16, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta made a move that has left many Kenyans questioning the state of our democracy. He appointed Maj Gen Mohammed Abdalla Badi, the Director-General of the newly minted Nairobi Metropolitan Services, as the de facto governor of Nairobi.
While the appointment may seem like a solution to the corruption that has plagued Nairobi, it is a threat to our democracy and the rule of law. The military has no place in the governance of a civilian city like Nairobi.
As the Chair of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, I have always advocated for the protection of human rights and the rule of law. The appointment of Maj Gen Badi is a clear violation of these principles.
Under the 2010 Constitution, Nairobi is a devolved unit that should be governed by a democratically elected civilian. The military has no mandate to govern a civilian city, and their presence in Nairobi is a threat to the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
President Kenyatta's move is not an isolated incident. He has a history of appointing military officers to key positions in civilian government. This is a clear attempt to undermine the democratic process and impose military rule on our country.
As a nation, we must stand up against this attempt to militarise our civilian life. We have competent wananchi who are capable of governing our cities and counties. We do not need the military to do our job for us.
It is time for President Kenyatta to reverse this decision and appoint a competent civilian to govern Nairobi. We must protect our democracy and the rule of law at all costs.
Makau Mutua is SUNY Distinguished Professor at SUNY Buffalo Law School and Chair of KHRC. @makaumutua.
