Riruta residents advocate for change in Nairobi governance system

The views were shared during a public forum organised by Mtetezi advocacy group on March 21, 2026. The meeting brought together local youth to discuss how Nairobi can be better managed.

Participants spoke about challenges, including frequent flooding, unsafe buildings, heavy traffic, lack of jobs, and pressure on basic services. Many said these issues show that the city’s governance system is not working as it should.

A majority of those supported the idea of turning Nairobi into a Metropolitan Special City. They said this could improve planning, strengthen coordination between government agencies, and help the city respond faster to major challenges.

Others preferred a middle-ground solution through keeping An elected governor but increasing cooperation with the national government, especially on big projects like infrastructure and city planning.

A smaller group argued that the current county system should remain. However, they called for better enforcement of laws and more efficient use of existing structures instead of introducing a new system.

Despite their different views, participants demanded stricter rules in the construction sector to prevent unsafe buildings, better drainage systems to deal with flooding, improved transport to reduce traffic, and more transparency in how decisions are made.

There was also concern about politics interfering with service delivery. Many said frequent conflicts between leaders slow down development and affect residents.

Mtetezi said the forum showed that residents want change and are ready to be involved in shaping the city’s future. More public discussions are expected to take place in other parts of Nairobi in the coming weeks.