Geoffrey Mosiria Breaks Silence on Demotion, Cites Pressure From Powerful Cartels
Nairobi Chief County Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has claimed that his recent reassignment from the Environment Department was directly linked to his uncompromising stance against unlawful construction projects allegedly backed by influential individuals.
Speaking on Monday, December 1, the senior county official said the move did not catch him off guard, arguing that his strict enforcement measures had repeatedly clashed with the interests of what he described as “untouchables.”
According to Mosiria, his transfer to the Citizen Engagement and Customer Service docket followed months of tension with powerful developers who had resisted county compliance efforts.
“I indeed trampled on those who are untouchable. I trampled on the untouchables until some of them got irritated by me,” he said, adding: “I do not fear man. I only fear God, who is powerful.”
Mosiria recounted several confrontations during his tenure, including halting construction projects he claimed were backed by wealthy and politically connected figures. He pointed specifically to one project, which he said belonged to “a very influential and rich person,” that sparked significant pushback.
“Some people were building on the river, and many of them had big clubs that were shouting at the people,” he recalled. “We went and stopped them, and before I was taken away, I remember stopping a big club that had not been touched.”
The county official stressed that his enforcement actions were guided solely by public concerns about safety and environmental protection, denying any political motivations. He insisted that public interest remained his primary focus despite what he termed a sidelining from his original role.
“I am still working to help the people,” he said. “When I entered the environment, people thought it was a small office, but when I got there, they saw its size and importance. I look at the office in terms of the service that we will offer to the people.”
Mosiria’s comments come two weeks after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja announced a reshuffle of senior county leadership. The changes, communicated in a notice dated November 18, 2025, saw Mosiria reassigned from his environmental role, with Hibram Otieno—formerly responsible for county medical facilities—appointed as his replacement.
Before the reshuffle, Mosiria had led a series of high-profile inspections targeting non-compliant businesses, entertainment joints and residential developments. Several establishments were closed during these operations, drawing both praise and criticism from residents and stakeholders.
While the County Government has not publicly commented on Mosiria’s claims, his reassignment has sparked debate over the pressures faced by officials tasked with enforcing environmental and building regulations in the capital.
Geoffrey Mosiria Breaks Silence on Demotion, Cites Pressure From Powerful Cartels