Emotions as Sakaja hands out pnp employment letters to Green Army

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has confirmed more than 3,500 Green Army environmental workers to permanent and pensionable positions, marking the largest recruitment in the sector since 1987.

About 2452 staff were to be confirmed, but the Governor's directive was that the over 3,500 staff be confirmed because of the need to uplift the lives of workers at the bottom of the pyramid.

Speaking at Central Park during the handover ceremony, Sakaja described the move as a historic milestone for the city’s cleanliness and environmental management.

He praised the workers for their diligence in keeping Nairobi clean, urging them to maintain discipline, order, and commitment in their duties.

“The city must be cleaned daily. That is now your obligation. Have shifts, cover every neighbourhood, and use the equipment provided, including machines, tippers, and compactors,” he said.

Sakaja also announced plans to operationalise the Green Nairobi Company, an autonomous agency that will manage city cleanliness, similar to how Nairobi Water handles water services.

The company has been registered, with financing plans underway after benchmarking visits to South Africa, Kigali, and other cities.

Green Nairobi CEC Maureen Njeri commended the workers’ dedication over the past two years, saying their confirmation reflected the governor’s confidence in their work.

Finance CEC Charles Kerich urged the recruits to invest wisely and take pride in maintaining a clean city, while Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria encouraged them to set higher standards and guide residents in keeping their surroundings tidy.

The confirmations follow a vetting process by the Nairobi County Public Service Board, formalising the workers’ roles in the county’s environmental management strategy. 

Public Service Board member Robert Wamaya said the vetting was meant to verify qualifications and determine the workers’ suitability for permanent employment.

“This exercise is essential in establishing the qualifications and integrity of the Green Army staff. Once the documentation is verified, we will initiate their transition to permanent employment,” said Wamaya during the vetting.

The Green Army, comprising over 4,000 youth, has been involved in garbage collection, river cleanups, beautification of public spaces, and environmental restoration throughout Nairobi.

County Executive for Green Nairobi, Maureen Njeri, said the vetting was carried out transparently.