Mosiria Eyes Nairobi Governor Seat After Turbulent Stint at City Hall

Former Nairobi County chief officer Geoffrey Mosiria has indicated that he is considering running for governor, saying his experience at City Hall has shown him the need for reforms in county administration and service delivery.

His remarks came days after Governor Johnson Sakaja reassigned him in a fresh 

administrative reshuffle, appointing Zipporah Njeri Mwangi in an acting capacity as Chief Officer for Public Participation, Citizen Engagement and Customer Service.

Mosiria said his time in the county government was marked by changes to his responsibilities and limited progress in addressing challenges within the administration. Although he did not identify the individuals he held responsible, he said changes to his role affected his ability to carry out his duties.

He cited December 2023 as a turning point, when his responsibilities as an accounting officer were reassigned, reducing his authority. He also pointed to significant budget cuts in the health department during his tenure, arguing that they affected programmes and projects intended to benefit Nairobi residents.

The former chief officer said his position also involved procurement duties and operational oversight, giving him direct experience of the administrative challenges that affect service delivery in county governments. After leaving the health department, Mosiria was transferred to the Environment department, where his responsibilities changed. He said he chose to remain active in the community rather than focus solely on administrative duties, continuing to meet residents and respond to local concerns.

His approach increased his public visibility but also exposed him to criticism and legal challenges. Mosiria recalled facing scrutiny during public engagements, discussions within official communication channels and a court case linked to allegations of contempt.

He was later moved to the customer service docket, where he oversaw citizen engagement and public participation. The role involved communicating with residents and providing channels through which they could raise concerns about county services.

Mosiria said his focus on addressing residents' needs remained unchanged despite the successive transfers. He now believes the experience has equipped him with a better understanding of the reforms required to improve governance in the capital.

“Despite everything, I never gave up on Nairobi. Today, I am humbled that Nairobi residents are calling upon me to serve them as their governor,” he said.

He maintained that his political ambitions were driven by a desire to improve public institutions and service delivery rather than settle personal scores. He also said he had received information about a possible court case involving him but did not provide further details. Mosiria's possible entry into the gubernatorial race would add another contender to Nairobi's political contest ahead of the next general election.