Ruto, Sakaja Agree on Shared Governance Plan for Nairobi Services
News Updated: 10 February 2026 21:42 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto (left) and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja (right)
President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja have agreed on a new shared-governance framework that will see the national government take a direct role in managing key services in the capital, marking a significant shift in the administration of Kenya’s largest city.
Under the arrangement, the national government will oversee garbage collection and disposal, a sector that has remained one of Nairobi’s most persistent challenges despite repeated reforms at the county level.
Public works form another pillar of the agreement, with a focus on affordable housing projects as well as road construction and maintenance. The move is aimed at accelerating stalled infrastructure projects and improving coordination across agencies.
Water collection and supply have also been listed among the functions to be managed under the shared responsibility model, reflecting growing concern over water shortages and aging infrastructure in the city.
The agreement follows months of consultations between the two levels of government, with officials framing the deal as a practical solution to service delivery bottlenecks rather than a takeover of county functions.
Alongside the governance pact, the national government has unveiled a multi-billion-shilling plan targeting housing, roads, water, and urban renewal projects, positioning Nairobi as a flagship of broader urban transformation efforts.
The deal, however, has sparked debate over devolution, with critics warning that ceding core county roles could weaken local autonomy and set a precedent for central government intervention in devolved units.
Governor Sakaja has sought to reassure residents that the county remains fully involved, insisting the collaboration is designed to complement county efforts and leverage national resources and technical capacity.
As implementation begins, attention now turns to whether the joint approach will translate into cleaner streets, improved infrastructure, and reliable services for Nairobi residents, outcomes that have long eluded successive administrations.
Tags: Nairobi Nairobi County Signs Media Kenya Limited Signstv Signstvkenya Government Of Kenya President William Ruto County Government Of Nairobi Editor's Pick
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD