• By law, a motion calling for the renaming of a road after a prominent person must be passed by the county assembly.
• Repeated vandalism of Francis Atwoli signage has revived debate on naming and renaming roads. It used to be called Dik Dik Road before recent renaming.
Following fires and vandalism of the Francis Atwoli signpost, the county wants to develop criteria for naming roads and facilities.
The recently renamed Francis Atwoli Road signage in Kileleshwa has been making headlines because of four cases of vandalism last month.
Unionist Atwoli is the long-standing Cotu boss. The road was previously Dik Dik Road.
The vandalism has raised questions over the procedure followed and has revived debate on guidelines for naming and renaming streets and public facilities.
In a notice of motion, deputy majority whip Waithera Chege said a number of individuals have not been honoured though they made extraordinary contributions that bettered life.
Many upheld the rights of others and provided outstanding contributions, she said. Roads, she said, should be named in recognition and appreciation of "extraordinary acts of service to the county and country".
The Constitution gives counties powers involving county roads, their naming, street lighting, transport, traffic and parking.
Waithera said a policy will guide the executive in conferring a meaningful name, not just naming "for the sake of it". Certain standards must be met, she said.
“We cannot be having streets, roads, hospitals renamed after people whose contributions, especially to Nairobi residents, was of no help to them."
The motion will be debated in the house at a later date.
Last month, City Hall, under Deputy Governor Anne Kananu, announced that Dik-Dik Road in Kileleshwa had been renamed Francis Atwoli Road.
The signage was pulled down four times by unknown people; City Hall kept putting it up again.
On Monday, burning tyres were placed around the signpost. It was immediately repaired and DCI is investigating.
By law, a motion calling for the naming or renaming of a road after a prominent person must first be passed by the assembly.
After the motion is approved, the assembly's Implementation Committee writes to the county executive, communicating the approved motion. The executive approves or rejects it.
However, for Francis Atwoli Road, this procedure was not followed.
During a special sitting on May 26, only a Notice of Motion was given by Roysambu MCA Peter Warutere.
However, just a day later Atwoli, the deputy governor and county officials attended the function at which Dik-Dik Road was replaced with the Francis Atwoli signpost.
Three roads have been renamed after motions being approved by the county assembly.
In March, Eastleigh First Avenue Lane was renamed Mohammed Yusuf Haji Avenue in honour of the Garissa senator who died in February.
Also, Kapiti Crescent Road in South B was renamed in honour of football legend Joe Kadenge and Accra Road was renamed after the former Ford Asili party leader, Kenneth Matiba.
(Edited by V Graham).