By The News Booth Desk
The Water Services Workers Union (WASWU) has formally petitioned the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) to probe what it terms as the "irregular appointment" of Martin Nangole as the managing director of the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC). Speaking during a press briefing in Mombasa on April 24, 2026, Matilda Jebet Kimetto, the general secretary of WASWU, accused the NCWSC of maladministration, abuse of power, and violating governance procedures in the recruitment of its top executive.
Kimetto asserted that the appointment process contravened established legal and governance frameworks, lacked transparency, and disregarded due process. "The Union contends that the appointment process violated established legal and governance frameworks, lacked transparency, and disregarded due process," she stated. WASWU argues that this situation is indicative of a broader breakdown in governance structures and a selective application of policies at NCWSC, which they claim erodes employee trust and undermines public confidence in the water utility.
The union emphasized the necessity for public offices to be filled through lawful, transparent, and merit-based processes, warning that any deviation from these standards compromises institutional integrity. "Public offices must be filled through lawful, transparent, and merit-based processes. Any deviation from these standards compromises institutional integrity and cannot be accepted," the Union stated. WASWU is urging the CAJ to intervene urgently and is calling for an independent investigation into the appointment and broader governance concerns at NCWSC. Furthermore, they demand the immediate nullification of what they describe as an irregular appointment.
Kimetto assured that the union is prepared to fully cooperate with investigators and is ready to escalate the matter to court if their demands are not met. "WASWU remains ready to provide evidence and support investigations, urging swift intervention to uphold administrative justice and protect the integrity of the water sector," she added. She was accompanied by other union officials during the media briefing.
This petition adds to the mounting pressure on NCWSC, which serves over 4 million residents in Nairobi and has been under repeated scrutiny over its management and procurement practices. The utility company, crucial for providing water and sewerage services in the capital, has faced criticism in the past for alleged inefficiencies and lack of transparency. As of the time of publication on Friday, April 24, 2026, NCWSC had not issued a response to WASWU’s allegations.
