Geoffrey Mosiria, Nairobi's Chief County Officer, attributes his recent demotion from the environment docket to clashes with powerful figures over unlawful developments. He described his enforcement actions as stepping on the 'untouchables,' which irritated influential individuals. Despite the shift, Mosiria vows to continue serving residents effectively.
On Monday, December 1, 2025, Geoffrey Mosiria spoke out about his transfer from Nairobi County's environment docket to citizen engagement and customer services. The move, announced in a notice dated November 18, 2025, by Governor Johnson Sakaja, replaced him with Hibram Otieno, formerly in charge of medical facilities.
Mosiria stated that the demotion stemmed from his rigorous enforcement of regulations, which conflicted with the interests of 'untouchables'—influential people involved in unlawful constructions. 'I indeed trampled on those who are untouchable, I trampled on the untouchables until some of them got irritated by me, but I do not fear man, I only fear God, who is powerful,' he said.
He highlighted specific interventions, such as halting buildings on riverbanks and closing a prominent club that had evaded prior scrutiny. 'Some people were building on the river, and many of them had big clubs that were shouting at the people. We went and stopped them, and before I was taken away, I remember stopping a big club that had not been touched,' Mosiria recounted.
Prior to his removal, Mosiria's routine inspections led to the closure of several businesses and residential buildings, driven by public complaints rather than political motives. He emphasized that his actions addressed community concerns directly.
Undeterred, Mosiria affirmed his commitment to Nairobi residents. 'I am still working to help the people. 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,' he reiterated. This reshuffle occurred amid broader county leadership changes, underscoring tensions between enforcement and vested interests in urban development.