Residents drawn from all five wards of Dagoretti North Constituency today met aspiring candidates
for the constituency’s parliamentary seat during the inaugural The Nairobi Agenda Citizens’ Forum
– Dagoretti North, convened by Metro Alliance at Morningside Office Park, Ngong Road.
The forum brought together residents and community leaders from Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Kabiro,
Gatina and Kawangware wards, alongside parliamentary aspirants seeking to represent Dagoretti
North in the 2027 General Election.
Unlike a political rally or candidates’ debate, the forum was designed primarily as a listening and
accountability platform. Residents were given the opportunity to communicate their concerns and
priorities directly to those seeking elected office, while the aspirants were invited to explain how they
would address those priorities if elected.
Across the five wards, residents are calling for safe communities; reliable basic services; functioning
roads, drainage and lighting; planned development; environmental protection; accessible health and
education services; youth opportunities; inclusion for persons with disabilities; meaningful public
participation; and transparent, accountable public service delivery.
The participating aspirants were each given an equal opportunity to respond to the residents’
concerns and to indicate the extent to which they were prepared to adopt, champion and pursue the
citizens’ priorities.
Speaking after the forum, Ndirangu Maina, Chairman of Metro Alliance said:
“The purpose of this forum was to change the usual order of political engagement. Citizens should
not merely listen to candidates making promises; candidates must first listen to the people they seek
to represent. The priorities of residents must form the foundation of leadership and representation.”
He added:
“This was not an endorsement of any candidate, nor was it a campaign rally. Metro Alliance remains
strictly non-partisan. Our role is to provide a fair platform on which residents can be heard, aspirants
can respond and, ultimately, elected leaders can be held accountable against the commitments they
make.”
The following parliamentary aspirants participated in the forum:
1. Alan Masakhalia
2. Bright Shitemi
3. Edwin Mawira
4. Mirimo Nyongesa
5. Robert Alai
6. Vincent Ombaka
The forum concluded with the signing of the Member of Parliament Accountability Pact with each
aspirant committing, if elected, to listen and consult, raise residents’ concerns in national policy and
legislative processes, participate in legislation and national budget and oversight processes, engage
the relevant institutions, and report back to residents.
Similar citizens’ forums will form part of the wider Nairobi Agenda, an initiative intended to place
residents at the centre of conversations about the governance, development and future of Nairobi.
About Metro Alliance
Metro Alliance is an umbrella organisation bringing together residents’ associations and community
organisations across Nairobi. It promotes accountable leadership, citizen participation, sustainable
urban development and the protection of residents’ interests.
