All systems go as NMS, City Hall hold first meeting today after National Government takeover

Major General Mohamed Abdalla Badi- Director-General Nairobi Metropolitan Services is charged with functions like security and public health. [Jonah Onyango/Standard]

The Nairobi Metropolitan Service will hold its first meeting with City Hall officials today, three days after Mohamed Badi took over the running of Nairobi with a promise to restore its lost glory.

Maj-Gen Badi, who announced the scheduled meeting last Friday during the official handing over ceremony, will today meet with County Executive Committee members (CECs) from the departments ceded to the National Government — Health, Transport, County Public Works, Utilities and Ancillary Services and County Government Planning and Development Services.

County Health executive Hitan Majevdia yesterday confirmed the scheduling of the meeting, saying it had come at an opportune time for city residents.

“The meeting was planned and officially communicated on Friday. During the meeting we will be giving a summary of what we have done so far and what needs to be done in the next 100 days, as directed by the president,” said Mr Majevdia.

Issues to be deliberated in the Health docket include the decongestion of Kenyatta National Hospital, which is currently the Covid-19 isolation centre, and the ongoing equipping of Mama Lucy Hospital with a 66-bed capacity wing, which is almost complete. 

“If we can implement these things within the 100 days as directed by the president, then we will be able to ensure the county’s health system is robust and able to cater for patients effectively,” said Majevdia.

Lands and Housing Executive Charles Kerich said the meeting would focus on reports on sector priorities and proposed solutions for the challenges ailing the capital.

Mr Kerich said the CECs affected by the transfer of functions would still be stationed at City Hall while Nairobi Metropolitan Services would be at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).