Why Nahashon Muguna resigned as Nairobi Water Company boss

Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) Managing Director Nahashon Muguna quit last Friday over pressure from a section of MCAs.

Muguna in a letter addressed to the NWSC board chairman Arnold Karanja, said his decision to quit had been reached after careful consideration.

“I wish to formally tender my resignation as Managing Director effective September 26, 2025. I therefore give my 2025 annual leave days as part of the notice and seek waiver of the balance of the notice in accordance with section 8.27.1 (b),” the letter reads in part.

Muguna thanked the board and Nairobi City County Governor Johnson Sakaja for the guidance, support and understanding during his tenure.

NWSC board chairman Karanja confirmed receiving the resignation but declined to comment further on the sudden exit of the MD.

On his side, Muguna said the resignation letter was genuine but also declined to give more information on what prompted his exit.

“That's water under the bridge for now,” he said when asked if he was under pressure to leave.

Hover sources at both City Hall and Nairobi Water indicate that Muguna didn’t want to be a reason for a rift between the executive and the Nairobi County Assembly, where part of the MCAs have been demanding his exit.

“The Assembly had summoned the Board and the MD to explain the status of his (Muguna’s) contract. He didn’t want to fight anymore and decided to quit,” a senior county official said.

Muguna’s woes began in May last year when the board resolved to renew his contract for one more term, having reviewed his performance positively.

However, some individuals moved to court to challenge the decision to grant him the three years, citing his age, as he will be turning 60 years in December, which is the retirement age per the public service.

Sheria Mtaani, Shadrack Wambui and George Otieno Olwalo moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) last September, faulting the NWSC for renewing Muguna’s contract.

On May 22, 2025, ELRC Judge Hellen Wasilwa found that the board followed the right procedure in renewing the contract but faulted them for giving him a contract beyond his 60th birthday.

“In the circumstances of the case, I find that the renewal of the contract beyond December 2025 is illegal, null and void. The NWSC board is free to issue Muguna a final contract that does not extend beyond his retirement age of December 2025,” Justice Wasilwa directed.  

Muguna was appointed as Acting MD in 2017 but confirmed in May 2020. Martin Nangole has been named as Acting MD.