Nairobi not handed over, county still in charge, President Ruto clarifies

President William Ruto has reassured Nairobians that the county remains fully under the control of its elected leadership, dismissing claims that the national government has taken over the management of Nairobi.

Ruto clarified that what exists is a partnership aimed at improving services in the capital, not a transfer of authority.

Speaking amid ongoing debate over the working arrangement between the national and county governments, the President said the two levels of government are only partnering to develop the city.

“Hakuna Nairobi imekuwa handed over. Mimi niko na kazi ya kutosha ya kufanya ya national,” Ruto said. “Ile tumefanya ni ushirikiano, tuweze kujenga city yetu,” he said.

He was addressing residents at the Lucky Summer area in Ruaraka sub-county during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation works of the Nairobi rivers.

The President emphasised that Nairobi City County continues to operate within its constitutional mandate and that the county government, led by Governor Johnson Sakaja, remains responsible for its functions.

“Itasimamiwa na County Government. Hawa MCAs ndiyo watafanya hiyo kazi wakiwa na Governor wao. Mimi kazi yangu ni kuwasaidia kuhakikisha Nairobi inaendelea,” he said.

The remarks come amid public and political scrutiny over increased national government involvement in key city projects, including infrastructure upgrades, housing, transport and urban renewal programmes.

Ruto said the collaboration is necessary given Nairobi’s status as the country’s capital and economic hub, noting that the city’s challenges require coordinated efforts between the two levels of government.

“Nairobi is the capital city of our country and the engine of our economy. We cannot allow it to decline when we can work together and improve services for wananchi,” he said.

The President maintained that the national government’s role is to provide technical and financial support, particularly for large-scale projects that require resources beyond the county’s capacity.

He pointed to ongoing initiatives such as road construction, affordable housing, market modernisation and the rehabilitation of public spaces as examples of the benefits of the partnership.

Ruto also sought to allay fears among elected leaders, stressing that the collaboration does not undermine devolution or the authority of MCAs.

“Devolution remains intact. The elected leaders of Nairobi are fully in charge. Our role at the national level is support, not control,” he said.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who accompanied the President, voiced similar sentiments, saying their focus is only to support the city so that it does not lag in development.

“Hatutaki Nairobi ishindwe na miji mingine, kule kwingine wanabadilisha miji yao, hatutaki kubaki nyuma,” Mudavadi said.

Governor Johnson Sakaja, on his part, reiterated that cooperation between the two levels of government is key to transforming the capital into a modern, efficient and globally competitive city.

He said they are coming together with the national government for the interest of the people.

"Nataka kuwauliza kwa sababu mumeona tumekuja na tumeamua kufanya kazi pamoja na National Govt, tushirikiane na rais? Tufanye kazi pamoja? Nairobi ipate chapa zaidi? Tuongeze barabara?masoko?” he posed.

“We have come together between the national government and county government for the interest of the people of Nairobi...umoja ni nguvu utengano ni udhaifu.”

Nairobi is set to receive a major infrastructure and service delivery boost following the cooperation agreement, where about Sh80 billion will be pumped into priority development projects.

Ruto, who witnessed the signing of the deal on Tuesday at State House, said the initiative recognises Nairobi’s special status as the seat of government, a regional commercial centre and host to major international institutions.

He noted that the city’s responsibilities go beyond those of an ordinary county.

“With this framework, we are strengthening collaboration between the two levels of government to ensure better service delivery and to position Nairobi as a functional, competitive and globally respected capital,” he said.