The government has created three new subregions in Nairobi, with many of its residents trying to figure out where their estate falls. The announcement of this significant development by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, in conjunction with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, is to ensure better administration and service delivery in the city. However, like any major government decision, it elicits both hope and questions.
The population of Nairobi is now estimated at more than five million people. With such a fast-growing city, the Ministry of Interior has created three new service delivery coordination units. The first is Nairobi North, which will cover Roysambu, Ruaraka, Kasarani, Kamukunji, Mathare, and it will have its headquarters in Starehe. The second is Nairobi East which will encompass Embakasi East, Embakasi West, Embakasi North, Embakasi South, and Embakasi Central as the headquarters, and also Njiru and Makadara. The third is Nairobi West, whose headquarters will be in Lang’ata and it will cover Kibra, Dagoretti North, Dagoretti South, and Westlands.
The Gazette notice outlines that the administrative headquarters will be based in every subregion, with each one headed by a County Commissioner-level officer. What this means is that the government wants to bring leadership closer to the people and make it easier to manage day-to-day challenges of the city.
This move makes sense on one hand: Nairobi has grown too big to be run as one large block. Breaking it into smaller subregions helps officials respond faster to problems like insecurity, traffic, waste collection, and water shortages; it can also help the government officers understand the needs of each area more clearly instead of treating Nairobi as one uniform place.
But there is the other side of this. Kenyans have witnessed many administrative changes in the past, yet not all have improved service delivery. It is not just about creating new subregions; what matters is if the officers in charge will actually work, whether funds will be used well, and whether the lives of Nairobi residents will improve.
The government must respond to real problems if this move is to succeed. Quicker responses to emergencies, better management of garbage, safer streets, better transportation and reliable water supply. Otherwise, if these things remain as they are, then these new subregions will only be new names on paper. Still, there is hope. If CS Murkomen and Governor Sakaja do the right thing, following proper plans and listening to residents’ voices, new units might make Nairobi easier and better to live in. All Nairobians can do is wait and see what’s next. Will the sub-regions that have been created ensure real change or it will lead to desired outcomes.
