Sifuna warns Sakaja against violating constitution in fresh deal with Ruto govt

Sifuna warns Sakaja against violating constitution in fresh deal with Ruto govt

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has cautioned Governor Johnson Sakaja against what he termed a potential violation of the Constitution following reports of a fresh cooperation agreement between Nairobi County and the national government.

In a statement posted on his official X account, Sifuna expressed concern over a scheduled signing ceremony at State House involving Sakaja and President William Ruto.

“The Governor of Nairobi assured us he wasn’t transferring any functions to the National Government. I’m surprised to see a scheduled ‘signing ceremony’ at State House this afternoon," he wrote. 

"As we await to see what the actual thing is, I remind @SakajaJohnson to be mindful of the provisions of the constitution and the need for involvement of the electorate and the leadership of Nairobi before making such decisions. Any unconstitutional clawback to devolution shall be strenuously resisted. A comprehensive statement shall follow,” Sifuna added.

The Governor of Nairobi assured us he wasn’t transferring any functions to the National Government. Im surprised to see a scheduled “signing ceremony” at statehouse this afternoon. As we await to see what the actual thing is I remind @SakajaJohnson to be mindful of the provisions…

— Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) February 17, 2026

The warning comes amid reports that the Nairobi County Government is set to formalise a new framework of cooperation with the national administration.

While details of the agreement were not immediately made public, key devolved functions including revenue collection, infrastructure development and service delivery coordination are said to be top of the table.

This would not be the first time Nairobi has entered into such an arrangement.

In 2020, under former Governor Mike Sonko, the county transferred several functions, including health services, transport and public works, to the national government under the Nairobi Metropolitan Services framework, citing inefficiencies and financial constraints.

The latest development has drawn mixed reactions from political leaders, though Sakaja had denied any cooperation between the two governments.

Governor Sakaja had earlier maintained that no county functions would be ceded without due process and public participation.