Nairobi MCAs have opened formal scrutiny of the cooperation pact between the county and the national government after endorsing a 21-member ad hoc committee to examine the deal and report back within 11 days.
The motion, adopted during a special sitting on Friday, sets the stage for a fast-tracked review of the agreement signed on February 17, 2026.
Majority Leader Peter Imwatok tabled the document, triggering debate on its scope, structure, and the role of the Assembly in its implementation.
Under the resolution passed by the House, the committee will analyse the contents of the agreement, review its legal and financial impact, assess how it may affect the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 budgets, and oversee public participation as required by Article 196 of the Constitution.
After compiling feedback and recommendations, the team will table its report, upon which it will automatically be dissolved.
The agreement outlines joint action between the two levels of government in waste management, road works, non-motorised transport, street lighting, markets, housing infrastructure, and water and sanitation services.
It is designed to improve service delivery in the capital through shared planning and funding.
The approved committee will be chaired by the Speaker and includes leaders from both sides of the House, among them Deputy Speaker Paul Kados, Majority Leader Peter Imwatok, Majority Whip Moses Ogeto, Minority Leader Antony Kiragu, Deputy Minority Leader Waithera Chege, and Minority Whip Mark Mugambi.
However, the structure of the committee sparked sharp exchanges.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai argued that subject-based committees would have handled the review more effectively.
He questioned why sectoral teams such as Environment, Water, and Finance were not directly involved in analysing areas that fall within their mandates.
Minority Leader Antony Kiragu pushed back, warning that referring the agreement to multiple committees would slow down the process.
“It is unfair to subject the matter to the 23 committees in a matter which we need to deal with within a short period of time,” he said, backing the ad hoc route as the quickest way forward.
Other MCAs called for fairness and transparency in the next steps.
Ngara MCA Chege Mwaura urged members to ensure the final report is openly debated. “Let the report come and table it, but also let us encourage debate where members can interrogate the whole matter, and both sides can be heard,” he said.
As concerns emerged over whether the committee would control public hearings, Majority Leader Peter Imwatok clarified its role.
“The function of the ad hoc committee is not to oversee the public participation but to compile the feedback of the public participation,” he said, adding that notices on venues and dates will be issued.
