Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has said that he will absorb staff employed by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services.
Speaking on Friday during the handing over of the functions back to the county, the governor said NMS staff had done a good job.
"I really want to honour the NMS and staff at NMS you did a good job despite the challenges but I want to encourage you that we still need more of your industry," Sakaja said.
He went on to say that they will remain employees of the Nairobi county government and he will work hand in hand with those available.
The governor particularly assured nurses employed by the NMS that their services are still needed by the residents.
"I want to urge my staff in Nairobi City County Government and those who are coming back that you are all one. There are no former NMS staff or NCCG staff. You are all staff of the county and you'll work together as equals," Sakaja said.
"So, the people here should welcome those who had left, we will have space for everybody and I want to assure the nurses because many of them felt that when the NMS goes they will go home. We still need you to serve our people."
After the signing of the transfer of functions deed, the NMS absorbed a number of county staff to work directly under the service.
With the county functions now fully under the county, fears had grown that most of the people employed under the NMS would be left out.
The announcement is a relief to NMS employees.
The NMS was a brainchild of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which he established on March 17, 2020 and appointed Lt General Mohamed Badi as its director general
The deed of transfer gave NMS the mandate to carry out the functions for 24 months, renewable from the date of establishment.
However, in March this year, the NMS's tenure was extended to August 9 and another three months were added to allow for transition once a governor was elected. This is according to a notice by county secretary Jairus Musumba.
On Friday, NMS officially handed over the transferred functions back to the county.
Sakaja and outgoing Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa signed the deed that officially transferred the functions.
Outgoing Attorney general Paul Kihara was also present.
Sakaja is now in full control of the 14 functions of the county. The key functions include Health, Transport and Planning.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
