On February 25, 2020, the embattled Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko signed a Deed of Transfer, officially handing over key functions of the county including health and transport to the National Government.
The Deed of Transfer came into effect in March in what has now turned into a dramatic power fight between the Governor and those appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to be in charge.
President Uhuru Kenyatta formed the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) that was set to oversee all major operations within the capital city.
Mike Sonko seems to have been left wingless with no roots to hold on. Even the collection of revenue was taken away and handed over to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
Under the military
President Uhuru Kenyatta decided to put Nairobi and the supervision of military officers. Seven members of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) are all military officers.
The seven include:
Maj Gen Mohammed Badi
Brig F. Leuria
Major J.V Mbithi
Major A.N Nyakundi
Major J.K Njoroge
Lt. Col. J.K Biomdo
Major A.L Musoma
The seven military officers have been drawn from both the Kenya Airforce and the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF). The seven senior military officers are now headed by Maj. Gen. Mohammed Badi who is the director-general of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS).
32 Senior Officers
According to the Daily Nation, so far 32 senior officers from the national government have joined the Nairobi Metropolitan Service with more than 6,000 employees from Nairobi County.
Governor Mike Sonko has changed tune about the Deed of Transfer saying that he was forced to sign a document without being given time to read. He says he only saw the document during the time of signing. He also says that he has never been issued with a signed copy since February 25, 2020.
With now Nairobi seemingly under the rule of seven senior military officers, only time will tell on service delivery and the future of Mike Sonko as the Governor for Nairobi.