Nairobi County Secretary Nominee Dr Machel Waikenda has pledged to confront cartels he says are undermining service delivery and to tighten coordination across the county government if his nomination is approved by the County Assembly.
Appearing before the Nairobi County Assembly’s vetting panel, Waikenda said he would prioritise professionalism, accountability and closer engagement with county employees and senior officials.
Nominee promises to confront cartels
He said he intends to hold weekly meetings with employees and Chief Officers to track the performance of county departments and address challenges affecting service delivery.
“I will ensure that I engage employees as well as Chief Officers through weekly meetings so that we can track the performance of all sectors.,” Waikenda told the panel.
The nominee also vowed to take on individuals and groups he described as cartels operating within Nairobi.
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Sakaja tells Court Appointment process is underway
Waikenda’s nomination comes as Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja faces a court application seeking to have him and Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali cited for contempt over delays in appointing a substantive county secretary.
Governor Sakaja told the High Court in July 2026 that he had complied with a December 5, 2025 order requiring him to initiate the appointment process for a substantive County Secretary.
According to Sakaja, the first nominee for the position was rejected by the County Assembly, forcing the formation of a new selection panel.
The panel shortlisted 10 candidates, from whom Waikenda was selected. His name was forwarded to the Speaker of the Nairobi County Assembly on July 27, 2026, for vetting and approval.
Assembly Recess delays conclusion of process
Through his lawyer Adrian Kamotho, Sakaja denied disobeying the court order, arguing that he had initiated the process and would be the last person to defy a court directive.
The governor said the appointment of a County Secretary involves three stages, the empanelment of a selection committee, nomination by the governor and approval by the County Assembly.
He noted that the Assembly was then on recess, meaning the process wouldn’t have been concluded until members resumed sittings.
Meanwhile, Justice Gregory Mutai is expected to deliver a ruling on September 30, 2026, on the contempt application filed by petitioners Kasichana Riziki Mumba and John Saidi Nyanje.
The petitioners are seeking to have Sakaja and Akumali committed to civil jail over the prolonged delay in appointing a substantive County Secretary, a position that has remained without a substantive holder since 2018.
Waikenda’s vetting now places the spotlight on the County Assembly, whose approval will determine whether Nairobi finally gets a substantive County Secretary after years of delays and legal battles.
If approved, Waikenda has said his immediate focus will be on streamlining county operations, improving coordination among departments and confronting interests that he believes have continued to frustrate service delivery.
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