Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised the alarm over the Sh80 billion cooperation agreement signed between President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, saying development in the capital must not bypass the law.
“Nobody is against development in Nairobi,” Sifuna said. “But it is possible to achieve it while following the law.”
The agreement, signed at State House on February 17, commits Sh80 billion over two years to transform Nairobi’s infrastructure and public services, including roads, drainage, electricity, street lighting, water, sanitation, and solid waste management.
It establishes a Steering Committee chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and an Implementation Committee led by Sakaja, giving national government representatives a dominant role.
Sifuna warned this could erode county autonomy. He also criticised the lack of public participation before signing, saying it contravened constitutional requirements for transparency and accountability.
The senator’s stance has found backing among other politicians and civic groups, some of whom have threatened legal action to block the agreement. Supporters, however, insist the pact is lawful, arguing it strengthens cooperation between the national and county governments without transferring devolved powers.
The deal has sparked debate over how Nairobi can develop quickly while respecting devolution. Some MCAs have endorsed it, saying the funds could fast-track key projects, while others echo Sifuna’s call for caution, warning against sidelining Nairobi residents and elected county officials.
Former Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu defended the agreement, rejecting claims it amounts to a national government takeover, and stressing that coordinated development is critical for the city’s growth.
As public hearings continue and scrutiny intensifies, the Ruto–Sakaja Sh80 billion deal remains a flashpoint, highlighting the challenge of balancing urgent urban development with legal and constitutional safeguards.
