Nairobi Rivers Commission chairperson Margaret Wanjiru has notified Head of Public Service Felix Koskei of her intention to resign, saying she is ready to move on and focus on other work.
In a letter seen by the Star, Wanjiru gave 30 days’ notice and said she would leave office on August 31.
“The time has come for me to move on and give my full attention to other work,” she said.
Wanjiru, a former Starehe MP, said her 20 months at the commission had been an important learning experience and thanked Koskei for giving her the opportunity to serve.
“During the 20 months that I have worked in NRC, I have learnt a lot, and I appreciate you for giving me this opportunity. This letter is therefore my 30 days’ notice of resignation. I will vacate office on Monday, August 31,” she said.
She asked that her replacement be appointed early enough to allow for a smooth transition and handover.
Wanjiru also asked Koskei to convey her gratitude to President William Ruto for giving her the opportunity to lead the commission.
“Let him know I appreciate the opportunity he gave me, and hope we can collaborate on other matters in future,” she said.
The nature of the work Wanjiru intends to pursue after leaving the commission was not immediately clear. She did not respond to calls and text messages seeking comment.
Ruto appointed Wanjiru chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission through a Gazette Notice dated October 25, 2024, after moving the commission from the Office of the President to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development.
He also appointed former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga as a member of the commission.
The appointments followed the nullification of Chief Administrative Secretary positions, after Wanjiru and Omanga had initially been appointed CASs in the ministries of Interior and Cooperatives, respectively.
Ruto subsequently removed Pamela Olet, who had been serving as commission chairperson.
Omanga, who was appointed to replace former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu after his appointment was challenged in court, declined the position, citing personal reasons.
Last year, Wanjiru was involved in a dispute with the commission’s chief executive officer, Brigadier (Rtd) Joseph Muracia, following allegations of gross misconduct, corruption and nepotism.
The dispute was eventually resolved after the intervention of several Principal Secretaries, allowing the two to resume working together.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission was established through a Gazette Notice in December 2022 to reclaim Nairobi’s rivers and restore them as part of the city’s blue and green infrastructure.
Its mandate covers Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Makueni counties.
The commission has established a Joint Multi-Agency Coordination Centre at its South C headquarters to coordinate operations targeting pollution and regeneration of the Nairobi River basin.
The basin has been divided into 18 zones to facilitate monitoring and coordination.
The commission currently has 12 commissioners, while its secretariat has 36 officers drawn from various government ministries, departments, agencies and Nairobi City County Government.
Muracia remains the commission’s chief executive officer.
The commission’s broader mandate is to restore Nairobi’s rivers and improve the city’s environment and quality of life, as part of efforts to reclaim Nairobi’s former “City in the Sun” status.
