Gov’t Clarifies Reports Of Moving Headquarters, Capital City To Nakuru
The government has denied that it intends to transfer the capital from Nairobi to Nakuru.
A strategy that could be costly for the government but has the potential to spur rapid growth in the Rift Valley region.
The allegations stem from a claimed Executive Order signed by President William Ruto this month. The orders were supposed to be signed on Friday, December 13.
A screenshot of the orders shared on X read in part, “Now, therefore, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statute Laws of Kenya, hereby order and direct:”
“That the Capital City and Headquarters of the Government of Kenya shall be relocated from Nairobi City County to Nakuru County as set out in this Executive Order.”
Relocation of The capital city & Headquaters of The Government of The Republic of Kenya from Nairobi to Nakuru pic.twitter.com/YGbPd6W0xW
— HH Nur (@ziichzoch) December 14, 2024
However, it has been shown that the Head of State did not give any such orders.
According to many sources, President Ruto, who is in Mombasa today, has neither issued nor signed any Executive Orders in this regard.
The Orders uploaded online contain the signature of President Ruto and the Court of Arms, an emblem in government documents.
They do not, however, carry the presidential seal, which is included in Executive Orders issued by the Head of State.
The Orders in the document stated that the move was intended to improve efficiency, openness, and accountability at all levels of government.
“Conscious that a review and re-organisation of government is necessary to embed operational enhancements and functional changes that shall make Ministries, State Departments, State Agencies, and Kenya’s Foreign Service optimise performance and enhance service delivery as set out in the Administration’s Plan—the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” reads the Orders in part.
Nairobi became the capital of the British colony in 1905, chosen for its strategic location and favorable climate.
This decision was eventually enshrined in the Kenya Independence Constitution of 1963.
To transfer the government from Nairobi to Nakuru, significant infrastructural improvements would be required to facilitate the changeover.
Nakuru, while conveniently positioned, would necessitate significant investment in government buildings, office spaces, and residential areas to house the thousands of government employees who would need to migrate.
To provide smooth access to the new capital, the transportation network, which includes highways, trains, and air transport linkages, would also need to be modernized.
Essential utilities such as power, water, and telecommunications would also need to be expanded and modernized to meet the increased demand.
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The relocation would also necessitate changes to the Constitution, as Nairobi is currently designated as the capital city under Article 6(1).
This would most certainly result in extensive legal and political processes, involving public consultations and discussions.
Such a transition could necessitate a reorganization of the governing system, with ministries, departments, and agencies relocating to other sites.
The Orders shared X sparked turmoil, with some Kenyans and others opposing such a move.
Gov’t Clarifies Reports Of Moving Headquarters, Capital City To Nakuru
