General Badi: Judge NMS on its track record

Major General Mohamed Abdala Badi has declared that he is proud of what the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has achieved ever since it was established and given the mandate to manage the affairs of the capital.

Compared to previous regimes, the NMS Director-General says the national government entity has a lot to show for the short period of time it has been in operation.

Speaking during a television appearance at KBC Channel 1 Wednesday night, General Badi said NMS has improved and streamlined services on each of the four functions that were transferred to the entity namely; health, transport and public works, housing planning, and environmental, water sanitation.

“Every function transferred to us, we have moved a notch higher.” Gen Badi said

And he reiterates that the positive changes that are taking shape in the city have been possible because he is clear on his mandate and has no time for politics.

“We are non-political, ours is to ensure work is done. Even with the former Nairobi governor who was impeached, we work very well so long as they don’t obstruct our functions. We have always insisted we are not here for political mileage.” He told KBC news anchor John Jacob Kioria during the 9 PM interview.

Soon after being entrusted with the arduous responsibility to restore Nairobi’s lost glory, Gen. Badi disclosed that he, alongside his team, immediately drew areas of priority and got straight into work. He says tangible results have been evident 15 months later.

“When NMS was established, we realized that water in informal settlements was inadequate. Our first mandate was to ensure no Nairobi citizen suffers. During our first 100 days, we embarked to dig 100 boreholes.” He said

“During our first year, we completed 193 boreholes spread across Nairobi County.” He noted

With the water challenge almost out of the way, the General disclosed that he moved to reestablish the ailing health sector. He said he was under instructions from the President to embark on building 24 health facilities.

In record time, Badi says 19 health facilities were built from scratch. The other five, he said, had been initiated by the different Governors before they were abandoned.

He narrated how when he came in, he found the situation in the health sector, deplorable.

“We have 13 informal settlements in Nairobi. For instance, Mukuru was housing 400,000 people and a dispensary with only eight maternity beds. A woman was given one hour to get out of hospital after delivery. President ordered we embark on building 24 hospitals.” He said

Work is ongoing, but he says six health facilities have already been commissioned by the President and are operating.

“We have 12 (health facilities) ready to be opened.” He said, noting that so far the NMS has recruited over 2500 medical personnel so as to improve efficiency and delivery of health services to the city residents.

Asked why he has been able to cover so much ground in less time, the General was categorical that he doesn’t entertain impunity. He disclosed that City Hall was full of cartels and that he has been successful in dismantling them. He said he needed to instill discipline in Nairobi and ensure strict adherence to the law.

“I had to use military expertise to ensure all processes are in line with the law. Once you stick to law then the cost comes down.” He said

Badi says Nairobians have so much to look forward to given that the good work will continue until the expiry of the NMS term.