By Samson Wire
Johnson Sakaja has received a major political lifeline after sealing a high-stakes cooperation agreement with President William Ruto, a move that has quickly galvanized support within the Nairobi City County Assembly.
Barely 24 hours after the State House signing, Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from both sides of the political divide closed ranks behind the Nairobi governor, terming the partnership a game-changer for service delivery in the capital.
Led by Minority Leader Anthony Kiragu and flanked by colleagues across the aisle, the MCAs announced at the Assembly precincts that they would fully support the Sakaja administration in implementing the new working framework with the national government.
The legislators argued that the arrangement will:
Accelerate development spending
Improve garbage collection and management
Enhance utilization of available resources
Fast-track key urban infrastructure projects
“We are unequivocally and unreservedly behind the Governor in the legal sharing of certain roles through this mutually agreed partnership,” the MCAs declared.
The Assembly team also dismissed calls from a section of leaders pushing for a censure motion against the county boss.
The show of unity comes amid criticism from a faction led by South B MCA Chege Waithera, who had urged colleagues via Facebook to begin collecting signatures to censure the governor following the State House deal.
However, Majority MCAs firmly rejected the move, insisting the agreement is lawful, strategic and pro-development.
They further announced plans to conduct public participation forums to popularize and validate the cooperation framework among Nairobi residents.
Momentum behind the pact appeared to grow during a Nairobi River regeneration inspection tour where Sakaja accompanied President Ruto.
The governor — popularly nicknamed Mbekse — was met with loud applause from residents, many of whom viewed the partnership as a positive turning point for the city.
“I have not surrendered any function to the National Government. What we signed is a partnership to work together,” Sakaja told the cheering crowd.
In a strongly worded statement, Sakaja emphasized the legal grounding and development promise of the deal.
“Today, I joined the President H.E. William Ruto to sign a historic cooperation agreement with the National Government unlocking KSh 80 billion for the city.”
He added:
“The cooperation agreement does not transfer county functions nor weaken devolution. Instead, in the true spirit of devolution, it is a lawful statutory collaboration expressly anchored on Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, which provides a clear legal pathway for the National Government to work directly with Nairobi in recognition of its unique status as Kenya’s capital.”
According to the governor, the funds will target critical sectors affecting daily life, including:
Roads and housing infrastructure
Modern waste management systems
Water and sanitation improvements
Street lighting
Public safety
“I remain committed to service delivery, the resolve to build a city better than we found it and to capture the aspirations of our people,” Sakaja said.
President Ruto backed the partnership, assuring Nairobi residents that the KSh 80 billion Nairobi River regeneration programme will transform livelihoods and create employment opportunities, especially for young people.
“Today the Government has put 80 billion for this project and we are still doing more, including in housing projects,” the President said, urging youth to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
The high-profile tour and signing ceremony drew several senior leaders, including:
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi
Lands CS Alice Wahome
Interior PS Raymond Omollo
Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor
Makadara MP George Aladwa
Lakisama MCA Victor Ochola
With the County Assembly signaling support and the national government pledging billions, the Sakaja-Ruto partnership now shifts to implementation — where political goodwill must translate into visible change on Nairobi’s streets.
For now, the message from City Hall and State House appears aligned: #LazimaiWork.
