A significant milestone unfolded at State House, Nairobi, as the National Government and Nairobi City County Government signed a landmark Cooperation Agreement.
The event, presided over by President William Ruto, formalized enhanced collaboration to address the capital’s longstanding infrastructure and service delivery challenges.
The agreement, signed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on behalf of the national government and Governor Johnson Sakaja for the county, focuses on key areas including road infrastructure, water supply, sewerage expansion, solid waste management, public lighting, and the ambitious Nairobi River regeneration program.
Reports indicate commitments totaling around KSh 80 billion, with specific allocations such as KSh 3.7 billion for street lighting modernization (targeting 10,000 completions and 40,000 new points, transitioning to solar), KSh 5.1 billion for water, billions for sewer networks, and substantial funding for roads, drainage, and river cleanup.
President Ruto emphasized that the pact is constitutionally grounded—in the Constitution, Inter-governmental Relations Act, and Urban Areas and Cities Act—and represents structured support rather than a takeover of devolved functions.
Governor Sakaja described it as 13 years overdue, allowing Nairobi to leverage its unique status as the capital for special resources and attention.
The post by Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei welcomed the move as a “rescue” from alleged maladministration under Governor Sakaja, praising President Ruto’s intervention and envisioning Nairobi’s transformation into a world-class city like Singapore.
He advocated for future constitutional amendments to govern Nairobi as a national metropolis outside standard devolved units.
This partnership signals renewed efforts to regenerate Nairobi, boost livability, and align its development with its role as Kenya’s economic and international hub.
Author: Bashirjuma
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