Nairobi Water board names Martin Nangole acting MD

The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) has appointed Martin Nangole as its Acting Managing Director, following the retirement of Eng. Nahashon Muguna, whose term could not be extended after a High Court ruling.

In a statement dated September 26, 2025, Board Chair Arnold Karanja confirmed that Nangole’s appointment took immediate effect, describing it as a transitional measure to ensure continuity of leadership at the utility.

“This interim appointment arises due to the position being declared vacant and shall remain in effect subject to the substantive recruitment of the position,” said Karanja.

“We are confident in Mr. Nangole’s ability to lead with integrity, professionalism, and strategic foresight during this period.”

The changes at NCWSC stem from a High Court ruling delivered on May 2, 2025, which blocked the extension of Eng. Muguna’s term is beyond the mandatory retirement age.

 The court found that there was no basis for his reappointment, noting that he did not possess “rare knowledge, skills, or competencies that were scarce, unique, and not readily available in the job market.”

The judge further directed the Nairobi Water Board to immediately begin a competitive recruitment process to identify a substantive Managing Director, stressing the need for a smooth leadership transition.

In his new role, Nangole will oversee strategic direction across all business units, manage daily operations, and represent the company in engagements with regulators, stakeholders, and the media.

He will also be required to sign a performance contract with the Board outlining his key performance indicators.

Upon accepting the appointment, Nangole pledged to focus on service reliability and efficiency.

“This is a critical moment for Nairobi Water, and I commit to working closely with the Board, staff, and stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted service delivery to Nairobi residents,” he said.

The appointment comes as Nairobi Water continues to grapple with rising demand, aging infrastructure, and growing calls to improve the reliability of water supply to the capital’s households and businesses.