Nairobi Governor-elect Johnson Sakaja has been challenged to put in place measures to ensure sufficient service delivery before claiming back functions that were transferred to the National government.

Agnes Ndwiga, Intergovernmental Technical Relations Committee chief executive, yesterday asked Nairobi County Secretary Jairus Musumba to advise Sakaja accordingly to avoid a scenario where disputes will be filed in court.

 “The county government has all rights to get back these functions. However, it may not be a walk in the park as it appears. A lot of work will have to take place, including auditing assets that NMS has, looking at the status of employment and interpreting impact of the payroll because the county government will definitely have to take some of the staff,” Ndwiga said.

Very clear

Ndwiga argues that for the last two years, Nairobi Metropolitan Services has handled a lot of work that should not just be given back to the county within just a day.

“From office to vehicles, these are some of the things that the office committee should look at before taking over; the Constitution is very clear that arrangements shall be put in place to ensure resources necessary for performance of the function or exercise of the power are transferred,” she said.

 Last week, the Public Service Commission said NMS was at liberty to revert all functions to City Hall if the deed of transfer is not renewed after it expires in October.

 “If the incoming administration is non-desirous of continuing with the contract, then PSC will be ready and willing to deed back all the services to the county government of Nairobi,” PSC chairman Anthony Muchiri said.

 Sakaja has vowed to have all county mandates returned from NMS.