The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has announced it will shut down all illegal car washes operating in estates across in Nairobi County.

The move by NMS comes after residents of various estates complained about the explosion of car washes across the city, and especially recent coming up of the business in leafy suburbs.

NMS boss Major General Mohamed Badi says this will tame unregulated growth of car washes, especially in Karen, Muthaiga, Lavington among other areas they are being set up illegally.

Badi has blamed the mushrooming of the car washing businesses on political leaders led by Nairobi Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

According to the NMS boss, politicians were promoting the licensing of the car washes in all sorts of unplanned areas as a reward for their loyalty during the electioneering period.

Read More

  1. Sakaja's Nairobi County to demolish Sh250 million NMS Green Park Terminus
  2. Sakaja’s Nairobi County acquires 19 new ‘kanjo’ vehicles to better serve residents
  3. Big names Sakaja has appointed to chair the boards of various key hospitals in city

“The car washes are many, not only in Ngumo but also in posh areas like Muthaiga, Karen and Lavington where they should not be. It is something political, a kind of payment to boys who probably voted for them,” he said.

He undertook to reach out to the Nairobi County Assembly to strike a deal on how to rid the county of the mushrooming car washes through the help of the county’s Trade department.

“It is not an easy task since Trade is not a transferred function and a majority of the car washes are owned by the politicians who we expect to vote in favour of the process,” Badi said.