Badi bows out with honour, outlines NMS milestones

Lieutenant general Mohammed Badi has achieved more than he imagined during his tenure as the director general of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service.

After handing back the county functions to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Badi laid down some of the milestones the NMS has achieved during its two-year tenure.

"Through this responsibility, I was reminded that the greatest fulfilment in life is found in the spirit of making a lasting positive impression in the lives of others," Badi said.

In the Lands and  Housing department, NMS surveyed 6,863 county-allotted plots and processed a total of 13,834 land lease documents.

"As a leader, I held true to the values of courage, accountability, agility and adaptability in the enactment of my role. It has been an honour serving the people of Nairobi," Badi said.

"Along with improving the quality of life of the citizens, NMS created employment for hundreds of people particularly the youth and firmly defended Nairobi’s place as the preferred destination to live, work, tour and invest in.

"I leave behind a progressive city that holds a promise for future generations to come."

A total of 7,248 titles were processed under the National Titling Programme and are currently being issued to Nairobi landowners.

In order to bring services closer to the people, NMS partnered with the Judiciary to construct four small claims courts in Nairobi.

“Four sites, including Mihango, Kasarani, Dagoretti South and Huruma, were surveyed for the establishment of small claims courts, whose construction is still underway,” Badi said.

NMS also rehabilitated county rental flats in Jamhuri, Buruburu and Kariobangi South estates.

“This has not only improved their aesthetics but also enhanced the dignity of Nairobi residents. Plans were underway to rehabilitate all other county houses,” he said.

Badi-led entity upgraded eight markets and trading services namely; Muthurwa, Wakulima, Landhies Road, Toi Market, Embakasi Village, Kariobangi South, Kayole Spine and Jericho.

Under Nairobi Affordable Housing Programme, Pangani and Jeevanjee housing projects were kick-started by NMS in 2020.

Pangani alone will deliver 1,562 housing units with the first blocks already complete and ready for occupancy.

Jeevanjee is set to generate 1,830 units with eight more estates earmarked for development through Public Private Partnership.

Within the first 100 days in office, NMS cleared a backlog of more than 5,400 development applications by developing an online platform to handle development control in the capital.

“The introduction and use of Quick Response Code (QR) have eliminated the need for manual stamping and signing of approval permits,” Badi said.

He explained that the QR code was in line with the automation of services and access under one platform hence the establishment of Nairobi Revenue Services (NRS).

He lauded the Kenya Revenue Authority for its notable efforts to streamline and increase revenue collection in Nairobi.

As highlighted by Badi, NMS adopted a holistic urban lighting approach that entailed the installation and replacement of faulty and vandalised lights across the city.

An average of 6,000 lights were revived every month.

“Some 13 dedicated transformers for flood light masts were installed in Mukuru Kwa Njenga informal settlement area, increasing service reliability level from 42 per cent  to 85 per cent,” Badi said.

Additionally, NMS provided electrical engineering services by maintaining electrical installation in county public facilities.

To improve degraded city roads, NMS takes pride in having constructed more than 350km of roads, rehabilitated at least 100km of roads, maintained another 88km and developed more than 20km of non-motorized transport corridors to enhance transportation efficiency.

As part of the strategy to decongest the Central Business District, NMS commenced the construction of six bus termini outside the CBD.

“To date, NMS has completed the construction of Green Park, Park Road, Desai Road and Westlands bus termini,” Badi said.

NMS also rehabilitated Muthurwa, Kangemi and Hakati bus termini and urged Sakaja to complete the others and operationalise all of them to achieve the desired outcome.

Badi also oversaw the commissioning of the Kangundo road asphalt plant that continues to provide material for constructing, upgrading and re-carpeting of city roads at a much lower cost.

NMS also oversaw the rehabilitation of Michuki Park, Uhuru Park and Central park upgrading them into world-class recreational facilities.

“The revitalisation of Jeevanjee Gardens is currently at 60 per cent completion while the ornamental plant/flower nursery at City Park is at 70 per cent,” he said.

In a bid to restore Nairobi to “the green city under the sun,” NMS  increased garbage collection to 3,000 tons per day from an average of 1,800 tons.

This was boosted by the reactivation of 35 grounded solid waste collection trucks which according to Badi have greatly enhanced the solid waste collection capacity.

NMS also initiated the construction of two material recovery facilities in Muthurwa market and Mowlem which are at 40 and 60 per cent complete respectively.

“These have been done using internal capacity. Plans were underway to commence construction of another six in various subcounties in Nairobi,” Badi said.

NMS came into sharp focus at the height of Covid-19 in March 2020, laid down special interventions in response to the pandemic.

Nairobi was overwhelmed with a high rate of infections and deaths and health facilities were overstretched and in need of emergency evacuations.

To date,  NMS initiated the construction of 20 new Level 2 and 3 health facilities, most of which were stationed in low-income areas in Nairobi increasing health facilities from the initial 102 to 119.

“We also embarked on the expansion of the existing health facilities through the construction of additional ICUs at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and extra wards dedicated to Covid-19 response in various facilities,” Badi said.

NMS also upgraded and commissioned Mama Margret Kenyatta Hospital which had stalled for over three decades. 

Under the Universal Health Care programme, NMS identified over 326,000 vulnerable people for NHIF support, with 66,000 households already enjoying the services.

“As an entity, NMS has enhanced provision of health finance and medical equipment, capacity building of human resources for health and formulation of policies and bills to improve service delivery,” Badi said.

Additionally, NMS with support from the government and other state agencies oversaw the sinking of 193 boreholes in the informal settlements in Nairobi that provided much-needed free access to water.

Badi also noted that NMS acquired 29 water bowsers that increased the much-needed supply of water as well as acquired 13 new ambulances.        

In the water sector, Badi said they ensured uninterrupted supply of free water in all informal settlements with an average of 900,000 litres being distributed per day.

This is said to have helped improve sanitation, fight Covid-19  as well as ensure the provision of the much-needed access to free water.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)