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Nairobi residents on Thursday thronged Charter Hall at the Nairobi County Assembly to give their views on the proposed cooperation agreement between the Nairobi County government and the national government.

The public participation forum, convened in line with Article 196(1) of the Constitution of Kenya (2010), drew mixed reactions from residents, with some welcoming the pact as a long-overdue solution to the city’s challenges, while others questioned the timing of the consultation.

The cooperation agreement seeks to unlock joint implementation of major infrastructure projects in the capital, including water supply, solid waste management, roads, affordable housing, street lighting, and transport infrastructure.

The deal is expected to inject an additional Sh80 billion into Nairobi to fast-track development and improve service delivery. Auma, a resident of Dandora, said while many support the initiative, accountability must remain paramount.

“We have heard that the county will receive an additional Sh80 billion and that through this money, many things will be done and achieved. We support it; however, we need to see where the money goes,” she said.

Others questioned why public participation was conducted after the agreement had already been signed.

“Why is the public participation happening after? It would have been done before. But we embrace it if it brings changes to Nairobi,” said Kariuki, another resident.

Eunice Njeri from Kawangware welcomed the cooperation, terming it long overdue.

“We had waited for this cooperation between the two levels of government for a long time. It was long overdue. This city must embrace development,” she said.

David Omondi, a motorist operating within the Central Business District, described the agreement as a turning point for the capital.

“This agreement is welcomed because it marks a transformative journey for this capital,” he said.

For traders, the promise of modern markets stood out. Maureen Wafula, a hawker in the CBD, expressed optimism that the collaboration would provide better working spaces.

“The collaboration has earmarked the construction of markets that will help us traders house our wares and products,” she said.

Speaking during the exercise, Ken Ng’ondi, the Speaker of the Nairobi County Assembly and chair of the 21-member Ad Hoc Committee overseeing the process, emphasised that public engagement enhances transparency, inclusivity, and citizen participation in decision-making.

“This is the best thing for our city to fast-track development. I witnessed the signing, and I urge members of the public to understand it so that we can accelerate delivery of services,” he said.

Majority Leader Peter Imwatok said the process paves the way for the implementation of the agreement.

“This process marks a significant step towards the onset of city transformation and accelerates service delivery,” he said.

Minority Leader Antony Karanja assured residents of transparency and adherence to constitutional provisions, noting that public participation remains a right for all. Nairobi County Secretary Godfrey Akumali said the cooperation seeks to elevate the capital to international standards.

“Nairobi County is not only the capital of Kenya but also a diplomatic city that needs to be elevated to international standards. This cooperation between the national government and the county government should have been enacted years ago to accelerate development projects,” he said.

The Ad Hoc Committee assured residents that their views would be incorporated into the final implementation framework of the cooperation pact.