Faith Norah Lukosi: NMS has a long way to go to meet the aspirations of city dwellers

The establishment of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) remains a well-thought idea considering the disarray Nairobi City had been plunged in. From the endless wrangles at City Hall and the subsequent arrest of Governor Mike Sonko, the city needed a savior and NMS came in handy.

Some progress has been made; the glittering pedestrian pavements in the CBD, increased water connectivity and prompt garbage collection. We all understand that the progress is still not at the levels we all desire but what is clear is the fact that given time, the agency will make a difference.

However, even as we heap praises on the NMS on matters of service delivery, we must remember that government agencies exist not only to provide services, but also, to provide opportunities to businesses and develop strong and reliable partnerships with the private sector.

The NMS is now in charge of key functions that were devolved as per the constitution; Health services, County Transport services, County Public Works, Utilities and Ancillary services and County Government Planning and Development. These functions take the bulk of what was being done by the Nairobi City County Government with a number of firms and small businesses probably having won tenders to do a number of projects.

We understand that the spirit behind devolution was to allow more funds to trickle to the grassroots and in the long run create more opportunities for the people. That is why the agency should streamline its operations into a people-driven system and not an avenue for the business monarchs in town to expand their territories at the expense of small businesses and the jobless youths struggling to make ends meet.

Much as the agency is working under the office of the President, the reality is that its functions are still a responsibility of the County Government that has a mandate by the people.

It will be commendable to see many young people being involved in the cleaning of the city, getting tenders to collect garbage, do roads and actively engage in the development agenda of the capital city.

Helping small businesses start and thrive will always be a win-win situation for any government institution and the NMS cannot be an exception. It is such businesses that will ultimately help support the tax base through business taxes and through the wages provided to employees. That is why it is important that the agency operates with flexibility to businesses if it has to help create better avenues for more revenue collection.

We want to see the NMS put in place plans that will lead to workforce expansion for economic growth, offer various forms of assistance, such as grants, research opportunities, beneficial policies and worker training programs.

There should be no excuses in terms of funding considering that the agency will be receiving support from the Office of the President, equitable revenue share and own source revenue.

Amicable programs from the NMS will help businesses start and grow, hence more job opportunities and revenue. With the County government having close to 12,000 employees as of now, it should be working on employing at least an extra 5,000 in the next two years. This is very much possible if it can increase on the current revenue collection capacity. It is also worth noting that Nairobi is set to have an extra Sh3 Billion in new revenue formula.

This is the right time for Nairobi residents to feel the importance of devolution and the NMS has the ball in their hands to make it happen..

#Faith Norah Lukosi is a youthful city politician with her eyes fixed on a county seat in 2022