The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company Board has appointed Martin Nangole as Acting Managing Director following the exit of Eng. Nahashon Muguna, who has retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age.
In a statement issued on Friday, September 26, 2025, the board confirmed that Nangole will temporarily steer the utility provider as it embarks on the process of identifying a substantive successor.
This leadership change follows a High Court ruling delivered on May 2, 2025, which barred any extension of Muguna’s contract beyond December 2025. The court held that extending his tenure would be unlawful and contrary to public service regulations on retirement.
“Acknowledging that Eng. Muguna cannot serve past December 2025, Nairobi Water formally designated Nangole as Acting Managing Director to steer the company as succession plans take shape,” the board noted.
The court further directed the company to immediately commence a competitive recruitment process to ensure a transparent and smooth leadership transition. In its judgment, the court emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest Muguna possessed rare or unique expertise that would justify an exemption from the retirement age rule.
While the ruling acknowledged that the board had followed due process in reviewing Muguna’s renewal request, the judge maintained that extending his tenure beyond the mandatory retirement age was “illegal, null, and void.”
The appointment of Nangole comes at a critical time when Nairobi Water continues to face challenges such as water shortages, infrastructure maintenance, and service delivery demands from a growing urban population. His interim stewardship is expected to provide stability as the company works toward identifying a long-term leader capable of driving reforms and ensuring reliable access to water and sanitation services in Nairobi.
The board assured stakeholders and customers that service delivery will not be disrupted during this transition and reaffirmed its commitment to adhering to governance standards and the court’s directives.
