The Kenyan government has created three new administrative sub-regions in Nairobi as part of a sweeping restructure aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening local governance.

In a gazette notice dated Thursday, November 13, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the establishment of Nairobi North, Nairobi East, and Nairobi West Service Delivery Coordination Units — a move he said responds to the capital’s rapid population growth, now estimated at over five million residents.

“We are committed to bringing services closer to wananchi through deliberate decentralisation and efficiency enhancement,” Mr Murkomen said, affirming the government’s plan to improve how state services reach ordinary citizens.

New Regional Heads Named

The newly created sub-regions will each be led by senior administrators. Rose Wanjiru Chege will head Nairobi West, Patrick Simiyu Werre will oversee Nairobi East, and Simon Odhiambo Osumba will take charge of Nairobi North.

Mr Murkomen described the appointments as part of a broader effort to streamline operations within the National Government Administration — a key arm of the Interior Ministry tasked with maintaining order and coordinating state functions across counties.

Alongside the Nairobi changes, the CS announced the promotion of six officers to the rank of County Commissioner, naming:

• Joseph Mwangi Wamuti (Tana River)

• Linda Adhiambo Okola (Taita Taveta)

• David Ntawuasa Saruni (West Pokot)

• Michael Yator (Kajiado)

• Jeremiah Mwai Gicheru (Kericho)

• Peter Mwangi Maina (Vihiga)

“The changes take effect with immediate effect. Congratulations and Godspeed to the promoted officials as you embark on your new roles,” Mr Murkomen said.

Transfers and Wider Security Context

Murkomen also confirmed a round of transfers for serving County Commissioners, saying the reassignments considered each officer’s “strengths, experience, and performance record.”

The reshuffle follows weeks of public security forums, dubbed Jukwaa la Usalama, in which Kenyans raised concerns over policing gaps, local coordination, and uneven service delivery across regions.

According to the CS, the restructuring signals the government’s commitment to act on feedback from citizens.

“These changes are not cosmetic. They are the product of listening to the people,” he said.

The move comes as the government faces increasing pressure to tighten security and improve administrative efficiency ahead of the 2027 general elections. Nairobi, with its growing population and complex governance needs, has often been at the heart of such reforms.

The Interior Ministry said all newly appointed and reassigned officials are expected to report to their new stations immediately.

For Nairobi residents, the changes could mark the start of a new phase in how public services are coordinated — and how fast they reach the people.