On April 8, 2025, the Nairobi City County Public Service Board made public its eagerly anticipated list of shortlisted candidates for a range of pivotal positions within the county government. This announcement, accessible via the official county website (www.nairobi.go.ke), signals a significant step in Nairobi’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its administrative framework. The recruitment targets two key sectors—Built Environment & Urban Planning and Finance—each critical to the county’s mission of fostering sustainable growth and effective governance. As Nairobi continues to evolve as a bustling urban center, the selection of qualified individuals for these roles underscores the county’s commitment to addressing its complex challenges with competence and vision.
Built Environment & Urban Planning Sector: Shaping Nairobi’s Future
The Built Environment & Urban Planning Sector dominates the shortlist, reflecting the pressing need to manage Nairobi’s rapid urbanization. This sector encompasses roles designed to oversee development, enforce compliance, and guide urban policy. The advertised positions are as follows:
- Assistant Director Development Management (JG “P”, 1 Post)
Two candidates have secured slots for interviews scheduled on April 23, 2025, with the first session commencing at 8:20 a.m. This role is essential for coordinating development initiatives, ensuring that projects align with the county’s long-term goals. - Assistant Director Planning Compliance and Enforcement (JG “P”, 1 Post)
Three candidates are set to appear before the interview panel, starting at 9:00 a.m. on the same date. This position focuses on enforcing planning regulations, a critical task in a city where informal settlements and unregulated construction remain persistent issues. - Assistant Director Urban Policy & Research (JG “P”, 1 Post)
Two candidates will be interviewed beginning at 10:00 a.m. This role involves crafting policies and conducting research to inform Nairobi’s urban strategies, ensuring decisions are data-driven and forward-thinking. - Principal Surveillance and Monitoring Officer (JG “N”, 2 Posts)
Four candidates have been shortlisted, with interviews running from 10:00 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. These officers will play a key role in monitoring development activities, ensuring compliance with county standards. - Principal Planning Compliance & Enforcement Officer (JG “N”, 2 Posts)
Four candidates are scheduled between 11:40 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. This position complements the assistant director role by providing on-the-ground enforcement of planning directives. - Principal Building Inspection Officer (JG “N”, 2 Posts)
Three candidates will face the panel from 1:00 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. Responsible for inspecting structures, these officers ensure that buildings meet safety and regulatory requirements—a vital task given Nairobi’s history of construction-related incidents. - Principal Development Control Officer (JG “N”, 2 Posts)
Four candidates are slated for interviews between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. This role focuses on controlling development activities to maintain order and sustainability in the county’s growth. - Principal Planner (JG “N”, 6 Posts)
With eleven candidates shortlisted, this is the most competitive position, with interviews spanning from 1:40 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Principal planners will be instrumental in designing and implementing urban plans that balance growth with livability.
These positions collectively address the multifaceted demands of urban planning in Nairobi. From policy formulation to enforcement and inspection, the successful candidates will contribute to creating a city that is both functional and resilient. The county’s emphasis on this sector highlights its recognition of urbanization as both an opportunity and a challenge, requiring skilled professionals to steer its trajectory.
Finance Sector: Strengthening Economic Foundations
Parallel to the urban planning efforts, the Finance Sector is another focal point of this recruitment drive. Nairobi’s economic vitality depends on sound financial management and strategic planning, and the shortlisted roles reflect this priority:
- Assistant Director Economic Planning (JG “P”, 1 Post)
Two candidates are scheduled for interviews starting at 8:20 a.m. on April 23, 2025. This position is tasked with shaping the county’s economic policies, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support development goals. - Assistant Director Accounting & Financial Reporting (JG “P”, 11 Posts)
A substantial nineteen candidates have been shortlisted, with interviews running from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This role, with its high number of openings, underscores the need for robust financial oversight and accurate reporting to maintain transparency and accountability in county operations.
The Finance Sector roles are crucial for sustaining Nairobi’s ambitious projects. Whether it’s funding infrastructure or ensuring fiscal discipline, the individuals selected will play a foundational role in the county’s economic stability. The large pool of candidates for the accounting and financial reporting position, in particular, suggests a competitive field, indicative of the high stakes involved.
The Interview Process: A Day of Decision
All interviews are set for April 23, 2025, a date that promises to be a defining moment for both the candidates and the county. The timetable is meticulously planned, with 20-minute intervals assigned to each candidate to ensure efficiency. The day will begin at 8:20 a.m. and extend into the late afternoon, concluding at 3:00 p.m. While the exact location remains unspecified in the announcement, the County Public Service Board is expected to provide further details closer to the date. Candidates are urged to arrive punctually and well-prepared, as the board has emphasized professionalism as a key criterion in the selection process.
The structured schedule reflects the board’s commitment to fairness and organization. By allocating specific times, it ensures that each candidate has an equal opportunity to present their qualifications and vision for their respective roles. This transparency is a hallmark of the county’s approach to recruitment, fostering trust in the process.
A Broader Vision for Nairobi
The release of this shortlist is more than a procedural update—it’s a manifestation of Nairobi City County’s broader vision, encapsulated in its slogan, “Let’s Make Nairobi Work.” This phrase is not just a tagline but a call to action, urging collective effort to transform the city into a model of urban excellence. The roles being filled are strategic, targeting areas where Nairobi faces its most pressing challenges: uncontrolled development, inadequate infrastructure, and financial management.
In the Built Environment & Urban Planning Sector, the focus is on creating a city that can accommodate its growing population while maintaining order and sustainability. Nairobi’s skyline is dotted with both towering achievements and cautionary tales—buildings that collapse due to poor oversight serve as stark reminders of the need for competent leadership in this field. The shortlisted candidates will be tasked with ensuring that future development prioritizes safety, equity, and environmental considerations.
Similarly, in the Finance Sector, the county seeks individuals who can navigate the complexities of public funding in a resource-constrained environment. Nairobi’s aspirations—whether improving roads, expanding healthcare, or enhancing public spaces—rely on a solid financial backbone. The candidates vying for these positions will need to demonstrate not only technical expertise but also a strategic mindset to maximize the county’s resources.
Moving Forward
The Nairobi City County Public Service Board has provided contact points for those seeking additional information: telephone numbers +254 725 624 489 and +254 738 041292, and an email address, [email protected]. These channels are likely to see increased activity as candidates and the public alike prepare for the next phase of this recruitment process.
As April 23, 2025, approaches, anticipation builds for the outcomes of these interviews. The individuals selected will join the ranks of Nairobi’s public servants at a critical juncture, tasked with translating plans into action. For residents, this process represents hope—a promise that the county is taking tangible steps toward improvement.
In conclusion, the shortlisting of candidates by the Nairobi City County Public Service Board is a testament to its proactive stance on governance. By targeting key sectors like urban planning and finance, the county is laying the groundwork for a more efficient, sustainable, and prosperous Nairobi. The road ahead will depend on the caliber of those chosen, but for now, the stage is set for a transformative chapter in the city’s story.
Full List of shortlisted cadndidates.pdf
