Sakaja Reshuffles County Executives Weeks After Ruto Deal

Sakaja Reshuffles County Executives Weeks After Ruto Deal

Johnson Sakaja has announced a fresh reshuffle within his administration, reassigning several County Chief Officers in a move aimed at strengthening service delivery in the capital.

The changes, effected on Friday, April 24, come at a time when the Nairobi City County Government faces mounting pressure to improve efficiency across key sectors, including health, infrastructure, and urban planning.

Among those affected is Dr Machel Waikenda, who has been serving as Chief Officer for Mobility and Acting Chief Officer for ICT Infrastructure. He has now been redeployed to the Lands and Acting Mobility docket, marking yet another transition within Sakaja’s administration.

Waikenda, who initially joined the county government in May 2024 as Chief Officer for Economic Affairs, has undergone multiple role changes, reflecting what insiders describe as ongoing efforts to optimise departmental performance.

Cecilia Koigu, who previously served in the Lands sector, has been reassigned to head ICT Infrastructure. Koigu is among the original 33 Chief Officers nominated by Sakaja in December 2022 and has been a key figure in the Lands department prior to the latest changes.

Engineer Bob Ariemba has been appointed to oversee the Acting Works portfolio, a critical department responsible for infrastructure development and maintenance in the city.

In the health and social services sectors, Dr Irene Muchoki has been moved from Medical Services to Gender and Inclusivity, while Mariam Dubow Dahir has been transferred in the opposite direction, effectively swapping roles.

The reshuffle was carried out under Section 45(5) of the County Governments Act 2012, which grants governors the authority to reassign executive officers within county administrations.

“The changes are intended to enhance efficiency and ensure better service delivery to the residents of Nairobi,” a county official familiar with the restructuring said.

The latest adjustments come just months after a major shake-up on November 18, 2025, when Sakaja reorganised his executive team amid political pressure and the threat of impeachment. That reshuffle affected seven of the ten County Executive Committee Members, marking one of the most significant administrative overhauls since he assumed office in 2022.

During that earlier reorganisation, several high-profile officials were moved across key departments in an effort to address persistent challenges in urban management. Mercy Sau Mwakio was reassigned to lead Lands, Physical Planning, and Housing, while Suzanne Silantoi took over the Health Services docket.

Additionally, Geoffrey Mosiria was moved from the Environment department to head the Citizen Engagement and Customer Service unit, a role designed to improve responsiveness to public complaints.

Analysts note that frequent reshuffles within county governments often reflect attempts to realign leadership with performance targets, especially in complex urban environments like Nairobi. However, they also caution that constant changes can disrupt continuity and slow down the implementation of long-term projects.

The timing of the latest reshuffle has drawn political attention, coming shortly after recent engagements between Governor Sakaja and President William Ruto, although details of those discussions remain largely undisclosed.

Despite the speculation, county officials maintain that the changes are purely administrative and focused on improving efficiency rather than political considerations.

Residents of Nairobi continue to express concerns over service delivery, particularly in areas such as waste management, healthcare, and infrastructure, placing pressure on the county leadership to deliver tangible results.

As the newly reassigned officers settle into their roles, attention will be on whether the restructuring will translate into improved services for city residents.

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Sakaja Reshuffles County Executives Weeks After Ruto Deal