Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has strongly criticized the recently signed “cooperation agreement” between the National Government and Nairobi County, describing it as a takeover rather than genuine collaboration.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sifuna said the deal, signed by President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, violates constitutional principles, lacks proper public participation, and continues the mismanagement seen under the former Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) model.
“The so-called Cooperation agreement itself acknowledges that no public participation was conducted prior to the signing yesterday, a violation of the Constitution too egregious to ignore,” Sifuna stated.
He noted that the agreement is set to take effect within 14 days, raising doubts about whether meaningful public consultation can occur.
“Clause 6.2 anticipates the outcome of the proposed public participation, limiting it to amendments and forgetting that the people… have the option of rejecting the whole arrangement in toto,” he added.
Sifuna also criticized the composition of the steering committee overseeing the agreement, noting that two-thirds of its 12 members are national government appointees.
“From its structure, the Governor will play subservient to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, making Sakaja the new Deputy Governor for all intents and purposes. This to me is not cooperation but takeover,” he said.
The senator further highlighted longstanding financial issues, noting that the National Government owes Nairobi over Sh100 billion in unpaid rates and other obligations.
“Ruto throwing around the figure of 80 Billion as a symbol of his generosity to the people of Nairobi is nothing but a rouse,” he said, warning that the agreement perpetuates the NMS culture of unpaid bills and weak oversight.
Sifuna further condemned the continued involvement of National Government agencies in county-level functions, such as roads managed by KURA and KeRRA, which he said should be handed over to the county as per the 2025 MOU signed by the late Raila Odinga.
Sifuna outlined what he believes would have been a constitutional and accountable approach to Nairobi’s development, including clearing overdue payments by national agencies, transferring county functions in line with the MOU, utilizing legal instruments like CARA and Conditional Grants for infrastructure, and ensuring Treasury disburses revenue on schedule.
“So you see, Mr. President, it is possible to remain faithful to your oath of office. We want development, but only if undertaken in strict accordance with the Constitution. This, in fact, is the very foundation of leadership,” Sifuna said, urging both the National and County Governments to shelve the agreement in the public interest and maintain fidelity to constitutional principles.
The Sh80 billion cooperation agreement aims to strengthen Nairobi County functions and enhance service delivery, building on the 2020 NMS intervention under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Unlike that arrangement, no parallel agency will be created; instead, a steering committee chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and vice-chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja will guide implementation, with quarterly meetings. An implementation committee led by Sakaja will manage operations on the ground.
The agreement takes effect 14 days after signing, lasts 24 months, and will undergo public participation via the County Assembly.
Speaking on Tuesday at State House during the unveiling of the agreement, President William Ruto dismissed the talk of a takeover, maintaining that the county retains its mandate.
“This is not a transfer of functions…I have no interest in running Nairobi, let Sakaja and his people do their work,” he said
