By Andrew Kariuki
A civil society organization has called for a national discussion on the future governance of Nairobi, arguing that the capital’s current administrative structure no longer reflects its growing importance as Kenya’s political, economic and diplomatic centre.
In a press statement released on March 14, 2026, Mtetezi, the Grassroots Economic Justice Movement, urged policymakers, residents and stakeholders to consider whether Nairobi should continue operating as a county or transition into a special metropolitan capital city.
According to the movement, Nairobi’s governance framework currently treats the city like any other devolved county despite its unique role as the country’s administrative headquarters and a major economic hub.
Mtetezi noted that the city functions as the centre of a broader metropolitan region that stretches beyond its official boundaries into neighbouring counties such as Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado.
Thousands of workers commute into Nairobi daily from towns including Ruiru, Thika, Kitengela, Ngong, Athi River and Syokimau, effectively forming a single interconnected urban region that crosses county borders.
However, the organization said governance and planning across the metropolitan area remain fragmented among several county administrations, which has created challenges in coordinating transport systems, infrastructure development and service delivery.
The group also observed that Nairobi hosts key national institutions, diplomatic missions and international organizations, responsibilities that place additional demands on the city beyond those faced by ordinary counties.
Mtetezi further pointed out that successive national governments have repeatedly intervened in Nairobi’s administration in response to governance challenges.
In 2008, the government under former President Mwai Kibaki established the Nairobi Metropolitan Ministry to coordinate planning and development across the wider metropolitan region.
Later, in 2020, the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta created Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) after concerns over declining service delivery in the capital. Under the arrangement, several county functions were temporarily transferred to the national government to stabilise services such as roads, sanitation and urban planning.
More recently, the government of President William Ruto has worked through a cooperation framework with the administration of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, focusing on joint infrastructure projects and improvements in urban services.
According to Mtetezi, these repeated interventions highlight the broader structural challenges facing the capital’s governance.
The movement has therefore proposed opening a national debate on whether Nairobi should maintain its current status as a county or adopt a special metropolitan capital city structure, similar to governance models used in cities such as Washington D.C., London and Abuja.
Under the proposal, Nairobi could be reorganized into a Metropolitan Capital Territory responsible for managing the urban core while ensuring local representation and accountability.
The proposal also suggests establishing a Nairobi Metropolitan Authority to coordinate regional planning across Nairobi and surrounding counties, particularly in areas such as transportation networks, housing development, environmental management and economic infrastructure.
Mtetezi said the city could still retain an elected metropolitan governor, supported by a professional executive administration tasked with managing complex urban systems including public transport, waste management and metropolitan infrastructure.
The organization emphasized that the proposal is not intended to weaken devolution, but rather to align Nairobi’s governance structure with its strategic role in the country.
Mtetezi called for broad public participation in the discussion, urging involvement from Nairobi residents, neighbouring counties, businesses, civil society groups, urban planners and policymakers.
The statement was signed by Francis Awino, the National Convenor of Mtetezi – Grassroots Economic Justice Movement, who urged stakeholders across the country to engage in constructive dialogue about the future governance of Kenya’s capital city.
