Nairobi’s decentralisation drive begins as Sakaja meets newly appointed borough managers

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja pose for a photo with the newly appointed Borough managers at City Hall on December 4, 2025./HANDOUT

Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has held his first official meeting with the newly appointed six Borough Managers.

The meeting comes exactly one week after naming them, in what he described as a critical moment for Nairobi’s shift toward a deeper and more efficient decentralised governance model.

The meeting, held Thursday morning, brought together the managers who will spearhead operations within the newly established boroughs an innovation aimed at reorganising how essential county services are delivered across the capital. 

Sakaja told the managers that their appointment marks the beginning of a new phase for Nairobi, one that requires discipline, collaboration, and renewed commitment to public service.

“This is a serious shift in how we want to run the County, We must decentralise services further for better delivery and efficiency," Sakaja said.

"For Nairobi to work, services must reach the lowest level. As Borough Managers, you are the direct link between the County Government and our communities ensuring faster responses, better coordination, and improved accountability.”

During the session, he outlined his expectations for the team: strengthening integrated service delivery, enhancing inter-departmental coordination, and providing real-time feedback from the ground.

The managers will work closely with sub-county and ward administrators to align operations and eliminate bureaucratic delays that have historically slowed service delivery in the capital.

The borough system, a bold restructuring of Nairobi’s administrative framework, is designed to take government closer to neighbourhoods, speed up response to resident needs, and strengthen accountability at the community level.

The creation of boroughs, alongside the reorganisation of the 17 sub-counties and 85 ward administrators last week, is one of Sakaja’s most ambitious administrative reforms aimed at making Nairobi more responsive and resident-centred.

Governor Sakaja congratulated the appointees and urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity, and efficiency as they take charge of shaping Nairobi’s next chapter in local governance.

“Our goal is to streamline operations, cut unnecessary bottlenecks, and make Nairobi a working city where residents can access services efficiently and effectively,” Sakaja explained

The Central Borough, which covers Starehe, Mathare, and Kamukunji, will be headed by Charles Mabonga, with the service centre located at City Hall and Shauri Moyo.

The Eastern Borough, comprising Embakasi North, Embakasi West, and Embakasi Central, will be headed by George Muga. Its service centre will be located at the Sub County Administrator’s office in Umoja I.

City Hall services are further devolved to the Western Borough, which will serve Westlands, Dagoretti North, and Dagoretti South. This borough will be headed by Janet Kimeu, with a service centre at City Park.

The South Eastern Borough, made up of Embakasi South, Embakasi East, and Makadara, will be headed by John Saruni. The service centre will be at Huduma Centre, Makadara.

The Southern Borough, comprising Kibra and Lang’ata, will be headed by Dabasso Wario. The service centre will be at Joseph Kangethe Social Hall.

Lastly, the Northern Borough, covering Kasarani, Ruaraka, and Roysambu, will be headed by Serah Gichamba, with a service centre at Gatharaini Grounds.

Governor Sakaja emphasized that the move is more than an administrative reshuffle; it represents a strategic effort to ensure that Nairobians feel the impact of a responsive government.

A borough is a town district that has its own administration, where all city services will be offered through local governance structures.