Nairobi MCAs Demand Immediate Confirmation of All 4,300 Green Army Workers as Permanent Staff
- Nairobi MCAs have demanded the immediate confirmation of all 4,300 Green Army workers as permanent and pensionable staff
- Tension rose after Governor Johnson Sakaja announced the hiring would happen in two phases, prompting the county assembly to push for a single, inclusive process
- Plans are also underway to create a dedicated sanitation agency that will professionally manage the city’s environmental workforce
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Members of the Nairobi County Assembly have called on the County Public Service Board to confirm all 4,300 Green Army workers as permanent and pensionable staff in a single phase.
Source: Original
They said this will honour the budgetary allocation and avoid leaving behind qualified workers who have served the city under temporary terms for years.
During a session held on Tuesday, July 22, the assembly’s Labour Committee grilled board officials over the phased recruitment plan recently announced by Governor Johnson Sakaja.
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According to Sakaja’s statement, 2,400 workers are scheduled to be confirmed in August, with the remaining 1,900 expected to be hired in February next year.
The MCAs strongly opposed the phased approach, insisting that over KSh 200 million has already been allocated for the exercise.
Majority Leader Peter Imwatok warned that the assembly would not accept a selective or staggered recruitment.
“As an assembly, we passed a resolution through the budget that these young men be absorbed permanently. Some of them, with strong academic qualifications, can even grow through the system and replace ageing staff,” Imwatok said.
Nairobi MCAs want Green Army permanently employed
Labour Committee Chairperson Allan Maina (Dandora I) stressed that the process must also address existing gaps left by resignations or disciplinary dismissals, while ensuring those who have been with the programme from the start are prioritised.
“We have made incredible progress. It is only fair that everyone who has been part of the Green Army is absorbed. Where there are legitimate gaps, they should be filled through due process,” Maina stated.
The County Public Service Board chairman, Thomas Kasoe, acknowledged the committee’s stance and assured them of the board’s willingness to act accordingly.
However, he asked the MCAs to urge the governor to adopt the recommendation formally.
“Once all documentation is complete and we receive a fresh list of names from the County Executive Committee member, we are ready to implement the transition,” Kasoe told the committee.
The Environment Department has already forwarded a list of 2,400 names for August confirmation.
Despite this, MCAs remain firm on hiring all workers at once, noting that the workers' two-year contracts have expired and fears were growing that some may be dropped to allow for a new intake.
Of the 4,300 Green Army workers, 700 hold university degrees while over 1,500 are diploma graduates. Many have served the city diligently, despite struggling to secure white-collar employment.
What is Green Nairobi Company?
Meanwhile, Nairobi’s Environment Executive, Maureen Njeri, revealed that the county intends to restructure sanitation services by setting up an independent agency—Green Nairobi Company.
The agency will oversee the management of the city’s environmental workforce in a more professional and sustainable manner.
Her remarks came on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Savanna–Stage 17 Bridge in Soweto, Embakasi, where she outlined the county’s broader goal of dignifying public service.
Sakaja, on his part, reiterated that the recruitment is not just about employment but also about improving service delivery across the city.
“This is about dignity. We are not only creating jobs but also building a healthier and more dignified city for all Nairobians,” he said.
Source: UGC
Will Nairobi River cleanup create 40,000 jobs?
In a related development, President William Ruto expanded the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration initiative under the Climate WorX programme, adding 20,000 new job slots for youth.
The move brought the total number of young people employed in the project to 40,000.
The announcement was made during the president’s tour of Dandora, where he inspected ongoing cleanup efforts along the Nairobi River.
The programme forms part of Ruto’s broader plan to tackle youth unemployment through environmental and infrastructure projects.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
