A growing debate over the future of Kenya’s capital city status has intensified after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi dismissed suggestions that Nairobi’s position as the country’s capital could be transferred elsewhere.
Mudavadi’s remarks appeared to target a section of Kenyans who have recently advocated for the relocation of key government functions from Nairobi to other regions, including billionaire businessman Eric Muli, who has emerged as one of the strongest voices backing Machakos as a potential alternative seat of government.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary maintained that Nairobi remains Kenya’s established capital city and argued that discussions about moving the capital were unrealistic given the city’s historical, administrative and economic significance.
However, Muli swiftly responded, insisting that the proposal should not be dismissed outright and that Machakos possesses the economic strength and historical credentials to host the national government.
“Machakos has a $4 billion GDP. Same as South Sudan. And we have no oil. Imagine if we made it the seat of Government and Nairobi retained the financial hub status. It’s time to rethink how we see Machakos. Nairobi doesn’t have any space left,” Muli said.
The billionaire businessman argued that Nairobi is increasingly struggling with congestion, population pressure and limited room for expansion, making it necessary for Kenya to consider alternative long-term development strategies.
Muli further challenged Mudavadi’s assertion that relocating the capital would be impossible, pointing to Machakos’ colonial-era history as an administrative center.
“The colonizers made Machakos a capital city in 1887. That’s about 140 years ago. Musalia was born in 1960 in Sabatia. There’s no way he can tell us it is impossible to move to Machakos when the mzungu had already made it a capital city 73 years before he was born,” Muli stated.
His remarks have sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some Kenyans supporting the idea of decentralizing government functions to ease pressure on Nairobi, while others argue that relocating a capital city would involve enormous financial, legal and logistical challenges.
Political analysts note that several countries around the world have successfully moved their capitals to spur regional development and reduce congestion in major commercial centers. Supporters of the Machakos proposal argue that Nairobi could continue serving as East Africa’s leading financial and business hub even if some government institutions were relocated.
As the debate continues, Muli’s comments have reignited conversations about urban planning, regional economic growth and the future of Kenya’s administrative structure.
