DNK International By Our Correspondent,Riruta.
The grassroots movement Mtetezi has kicked off a nationwide civic engagement campaign on governance
Mtetezi through its convenor Francis Awino held its inaugural public participation forum in Riruta Satellite ward,Nairobi yesterday.
The forum brought together young residents who voiced strong opinions on the future governance of Nairobi.
It brought together dozens of youths who openly debated the city’s governance challenges and possible reforms, marking the start of a broader initiative aimed at anchoring policy changes in the lived experiences of ordinary citizens.
Participants highlighted pressing urban issues, including recurring floods, unsafe construction practices, traffic congestion, unemployment, and overstretched public services.
Many expressed concern that these challenges point to deeper structural weaknesses in how the capital is currently managed.
A majority of attendees about 68 percent supported transitioning Nairobi into a Metropolitan Special City, arguing that such a model would improve coordination, strengthen urban planning, and enhance service delivery.
“Supporters believe it would also foster better collaboration between county and national government agencies,”said Awino.
About 21 percent of participants proposed a hybrid governance system, suggesting the retention of an elected Governor alongside stronger institutional ties with the national government.
They noted this approach could balance local accountability with access to national resources and expertise.
However, 10 percent of participants preferred maintaining the current county system, warning that structural changes could introduce bureaucracy and weaken accountability.
Instead, they called for stricter enforcement of existing laws and more efficient governance.
Across all groups, there was a shared concern over the politicization of city leadership.
Youths cited frequent conflicts within county structures as a major barrier to consistent service delivery, calling for a more professional and stable governance framework.
Key priorities identified during the forum included stricter regulation of the construction sector, improved drainage systems to curb flooding, better transport coordination, continuity in development projects, and enhanced transparency in decision making.
Awino noted that while views on governance models differ, there is a growing consensus that reforms are necessary to address Nairobi’s complex urban challenges.
He said that the Riruta/Satellite forum is the first in a planned series of engagements across the city and country wide aimed at ensuring residents play a central role in shaping counties governance future.
[DNK-International@March 25,2026]
