City lawyer Donald Kipkorir has called for sweeping reforms in Nairobi following his attendance at a Cooperation Agreement Ceremony between the National Government and Nairobi City County, held at State House on Tuesday.
In a detailed statement shared on social media, Kipkorir, who described himself as a guest of President William Ruto, applauded the framework agreement but noted areas that, in his view, require urgent attention.
The agreement, he said, focused on roads, street lighting, solid waste management, and security.
However, Kipkorir argued that Nairobi’s development requires a broader, more comprehensive approach.
“Security must be the top priority,” he said. Kipkorir suggested that all city security oversight should fall under Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, with measures targeting street gangs and unregulated boda bodas.
Only registered companies, such as Uber, should operate, and private security personnel must meet minimum professional standards, including fair wages.
On education, Kipkorir proposed the introduction of world-class systems, highlighting Nairobi’s status as the only United Nations headquarters in the global south.
He recommended allowing private schools to adopt international curricula, such as English, American, German, and Chinese systems, staffed entirely by expatriates.
Meanwhile, local education institutions, including colleges and universities, should be upgraded to meet global standards.
Kipkorir also emphasized health and infrastructure. Medical facilities, he argued, should match the best in the world, with stringent licensing requirements for clinics and hospitals.
Roads, water supply, and sewage systems should meet international norms, while solid waste management should emulate cities like Tokyo.
In a controversial section, Kipkorir highlighted art, culture, and nightlife, calling for a “hedonistic” city model.
He suggested reopening bars, promoting theaters and museums, and legalizing marijuana and prostitution, arguing that a city without nightlife lacks vitality.
Kipkorir concluded that Nairobi could join the ranks of the world’s greatest cities—citing Copenhagen, Vienna, Zurich, and Melbourne—as long as these reforms are implemented in partnership with the central government.
“Once Nairobi implements the above, everyone will be happy, and the city will be in the pantheon of Great Cities,” he said, thanking President Ruto for the invitation and the opportunity to witness what he described as a historic ceremony.
The proposals are expected to spark public debate, given their ambitious and unconventional nature, and could influence future policy discussions between Nairobi County and the National Government.