Your time is up! Ruto declares war on Nairobi cartels

President William Ruto has declared a firm crackdown on cartels operating in Nairobi, warning that the era of protecting vested interests at the expense of the public must come to an end.

Addressing the Nairobi County Assembly on Thursday, the President said both county and national governments must work together to dismantle networks that profit from dysfunction.

“We must take the cartels in the city head-on—whoever they are, however powerful they are. It is your responsibility, with support from both the county and the national government,” Ruto said.

“There are those who make money through institutional paralysis. They shout the loudest against reform because they thrive on failure. Let me be very clear—the era of appeasing cartels at the expense of public interest must come to an end. Leadership is not about protecting a few people, but delivering justice and order.”

Ruto told Members of the County Assembly that their role in transforming Nairobi is critical and cannot be reduced to political posturing.

“The document is not ceremonial, it is not public relations, it is not politics for headlines. Your role in governance in Nairobi cannot be overstated. You have a duty to ensure that the needs of constituents are properly addressed,” he said.

He criticised what he termed a cycle of blame and inaction that has slowed progress in the capital, urging leaders to focus on results.

“What Nairobi needs is not a cycle of blame, speeches and complaints. It needs disciplined leadership, order, execution and results and that is exactly what we intend to deliver together,” he added.

The President acknowledged growing public frustration over the state of the city, saying concerns raised by residents, businesses and Kenyans in the diaspora are justified.

“I have listened carefully to what Kenyans have said about Nairobi. I have heard their anger and disappointment—what businesses, visitors and investors say, and what Kenyans in the diaspora say when they compare us with other countries,” he said.

“The truth is, they are right. They are right to ask why we struggle with basic order. They are right to demand better.”

Ruto noted that Nairobi’s rapid growth from fewer than 300,000 residents to nearly five million today has put immense pressure on infrastructure and service delivery, calling for urgent reforms to restore order.

He pointed to ongoing reforms in other sectors as proof that change is possible, citing improvements in sugarcane payments in Western Kenya.

“Today you can ask the people in Western Kenya sugarcane that used to be paid for after one year can now be paid very soon,” he said.

The President called for closer coordination between national and county leadership, saying only a united approach will dismantle cartels and deliver a functional, orderly city for residents.