NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has firmly dismissed reports that the county government is set to surrender key functions to the national government, describing such claims as a “misadventure” and a threat to devolution.
Speaking during his State of the County Address on Wednesday, February 11, Sakaja addressed speculation that his recent meeting with President William Ruto signalled a return to a Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS)-style arrangement.
“The NMS experiment left us with a Sh16 billion hole in pending bills, low morale, and destruction of devolution,” Sakaja said.
“The functions bestowed upon the county government of Nairobi in the Constitution will remain county functions; we shall not transfer any functions.”
His remarks came barely a day after reports suggested that the national government would assume responsibility for critical services, including garbage collection, public works, and water supply, under a shared management formula agreed between him and President Ruto.
Sakaja, however, clarified that while no constitutional functions would be transferred, the county was open to structured collaboration with national agencies to accelerate infrastructure delivery.
“We are pursuing procedures using the Urban Areas and Cities Act to enhance support in infrastructure, but the city will continue to be governed as a county government under the law,” he said.
Under Article 186 of the Constitution and the Fourth Schedule, counties are assigned key devolved functions, including county roads, refuse removal, water, and sanitation services.
Any transfer of functions must follow constitutional and statutory procedures, including formal agreements and approval by relevant institutions.
The governor outlined areas of cooperation with the national government, including the construction of new classrooms and the expansion and resurfacing of roads across the city.
National agencies such as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) will support some of these projects.
A joint cleanliness and infrastructure programme is also in the pipeline.
Sakaja revealed plans for a modern waste management facility in Ruai designed to convert refuse into fertiliser and energy once operational — a project aimed at addressing Nairobi’s chronic waste crisis.
On February 8, President Ruto publicly affirmed his intention to work closely with the county government.
“I will come here with my work on affordable housing, cleaning, and markets, and I know the people of Nairobi will decide from there,” Ruto said.
Sakaja’s remarks signal a clear effort to reassure residents and political stakeholders that devolution in the capital remains intact, even as the county seeks national backing to address infrastructure deficits and service delivery challenges.
