Not so fast, Francis Atwoli road runs into head winds

Nairobi Deputy Governor Anne Kananu and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli shortly after unveiling the road. [Courtesy]

The move to rename a road in Kileleshwa after COTU boss Francis Atwoli has elicited controversy after it emerged that it was done irregularly.

On Thursday, Nairobi Deputy Governor Anne Kananu renamed Dik Dik road in Kileleshwa after the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, and raised eyebrows and dissenting voices.

A spot check reveals that renaming a road requires it first to be approved by the county assembly. According to the Nairobi County Assembly standing orders, renaming a road should be introduced as a motion before the House and if approved, it is effected. The recent renaming of other roads such as Accra road after legendary Kenneth Matiba in March 2021, Eastleigh's first Avenue after Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji as well as Kapiti crescent road in South B after Joe Kadenge, were first debated and approved by the assembly.