Nairobi MPs back Sh80b Ruto-Sakaja deal, reject ouster plot

 

Johnson Sakaja with Musalia Mudavadi after signing of the Sh80 billion Nairobi County cooperation deal at State House. [PCS]

Nairobi MPs allied to the broad-based government arrangement have thrown their weight behind the Sh80 billion cooperation agreement between President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja, even as MCAs dismissed a fresh plot to impeach the city boss.

Speaking days after the State House deal, the leaders moved to address concerns over oversight of the funds and claims that the pact amounted to a power grab by the National Government.

MPs Peter Orero (Kibra), Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Langata), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka) and Senators Karen Nyamu, Hamida Kibwana, Tabitha Mutinda and Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris spoke a day after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino demanded the deal be stopped.

Led by Kajwang, the lawmakers underscored that all financing under the framework remains subject to the Public Finance Management Act, parliamentary oversight, audit by the Auditor-General and public participation requirements.

“Transparency and accountability are not optional; they are mandatory. As Members of Parliament, we will support what works, question what must be clarified and ensure that implementation delivers measurable outcomes,” said Kajwang.

Dismissing comparisons to the previous deal between retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and Governor Mike Sonko, which created the Nairobi Metropolitan Services and ceded key functions, Kajwang said this pact is better structured to strengthen devolution.

“Somebody out there is lying to Kenyans that this is a takeover of functions and that Governor Sakaja should now go home. Far from it. This is a more robust deal that will ensure the growth of the city through adequate funding,” he reiterated.

Oluoch added that the law provides for mutual cooperation between the two levels of government and public participation had already been conducted under Article 189 and Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act.

“Development of the capital city should not be stalled by partisan posturing or constitutional mischaracterisation. Nairobi must not be denied the opportunity to modernise, compete globally and provide dignified services to its residents,” stated Oluoch.

At the same time, Nairobi MCAs dismissed a fresh ploy to impeach Governor Sakaja over the multi-billion deal. Speaker Ken Ng’ondi said, “As the Speaker of the County, there has not been a single day when I received a motion to impeach Governor Sakaja. Whatever you see is hearsay sponsored by politicians to destabilise the administration.”

Minority Leader Anthony Kiragu added: “We welcome and fully embrace this partnership. It is people-centred, accelerates development projects and improves service delivery across the city.”

MCAs also highlighted Nairobi’s Sh40 billion budget serving over seven million residents, contrasting it with larger capitals like Paris and New York City and assuring that the Implementation Committee chaired by the Governor will ensure accountability and transparency.

Under the deal, the National Government will invest Sh3.7 billion in street lighting, Sh1.5 billion in transformers and prepaid bulk connections, Sh3.3 billion upgrading informal settlements, Sh2.1 billion at Ng’ethu Treatment Plant, Sh3 billion in the Gigiri-Shauri Moyo corridor, Sh9 billion for trunk sewer networks, Sh6 billion for a new sewer plant, Sh3 billion for last-mile connectivity, Sh15 billion for long-term sewer expansion, and Sh8.7 billion on roads, bridges, and drainage.

Nairobi MPs allied to the broad-based government arrangement have thrown their weight behind the Sh80 billion cooperation agreement between President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja even as MCAs dismissed a fresh plot to impeach the city boss.

Speaking days after the State House deal, the leaders yesterday moved to address concerns arising from the pact, such as how the funds will be oversighted and claims that the agreement amounted to a power grab by the National Government.

The MPs Peter Orero (Kibra), Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o (Langata), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), TJ Kanjwang (Ruaraka) and Senators Karen Nyamu, Hamida Kibwana, Tabitha Mutinda and Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris, spoke a day after Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino demanded that the deal be stopped.

Led by Kajwang, the lawmakers underscored that all financing under the framework remains subject to the Public Finance Management Act, parliamentary oversight, audit by the office Auditor-General and public participation requirements.

“Transparency and accountability are not optional; they are mandatory. As Members of Parliament, we will support what works, question what must be clarified and ensure that implementation delivers measurable outcomes,” said Kajwang.

While dismissing claims that the deal was similar to a previous one between retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and Governor Mike Sonko, which led to the creation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services and led to the ceding of key functions, they claimed this was better thought out meant to strengthen devolution.

“Somebody out there is lying to Kenyans that this is a takeover of functions and we are about to have a scenario similar to NMS and that Governor Sakaja should now go home, but far from it. This is a more robust deal that will ensure the growth of the city through adequate funding,” reiterated Kajwang.

MP Oluoch was adamant that by the mere fact that the law provided for mutual cooperation between the two levels of government, the spirit of public participation had already been conducted and captured in the intergovernmental cooperation under Article 189 and Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act.

“Development of the Capital City should not be stalled by partisan posturing or constitutional mischaracterization. Capital cities across the world operate through structured collaboration between national and city administrations. Nairobi must not be denied the same opportunity to modernize, compete globally, and provide dignified services to its residents,” stated Oluoch.

At the same time, Nairobi MCAs have poured cold water on fresh ploy to impeach Governor Sakaja premised on the multi-billion deal.

The House leadership under the stewardship of Speaker Ken Ngóndi dismissed reports claiming that a motion of impeachment targeting Governor Johnson Sakaja has been submitted for consideration.

The Speaker rejected allegations circulating that an impeachment motion against the governor was impending.

“As the Speaker of the County, there has not been a single day when I received a motion to impeach Governor Johnson Sakaja,” Ng’ondi said.

“Whatever you see is all hearsay and narratives sponsored by politicians to destabilize the administration of Sakaja. I can confidently confirm that no MCA has submitted any notice of motion for impeachment,” he added.

And during a press conference held on the steps of the Nairobi County Assembly, MCAs led by Minority Leader Anthony Kiragu dismissed the impeachment as rumours and instead urged residents to support what they described as a transformative framework. They termed the deal a a timely and people-centred partnership aimed at accelerating development in the capital.

““We welcome and fully embrace this partnership. This cooperation is people-centred and focuses on the essential services that residents of Nairobi have long awaited. It is an arrangement designed to accelerate development projects and significantly improve service delivery across the city,” remarked Kiragu.

Drawing comparisons with global capitals, the MCAs noted that Nairobi operates on an estimated Sh40 billion budget while serving over seven million residents a figure they contrasted with cities such as Paris and New York City, which operate with significantly larger municipal budgets and structured national government support.

"These examples demonstrate that collaboration between city administrations and national governments is not unusual, but rather a proven and practical model for urban growth and modernization,” they stated.

The MCAs further assured residents that the agreement safeguards accountability, noting that “the Implementation Committee will be chaired by the Governor, working in coordination with national government officials to ensure accountability, transparency, and effective delivery.”

Under the deal, Under the new plan, president promised that the National Government will pump in Sh3.7 billion towards street lighting modernization and expansion where 10,000 light points will be completed and an additional 40,000 light points installed.

 The National Government, working with Kenya Power, will invest Sh1.5 billion in transformers and proper last-mile connections, alongside a prepaid bulk framework to lower power costs for low-income households.

 To transform the informal settlements through Ruto seeks a Sh3.3 billion upgrading programme covering transformers, prepaid metering, and settlement lighting around footpaths, markets, schools, and health facilities.

 Ruto’s administration will invest Sh2.1 billion at Ng'ethu Treatment Plant to stop daily losses of approximately 50,000 cubic litres. Another Sh3 billion will go into the Gigiri- Shauri Moyo evacuation corridor to stabilise and extend supply to high-demand zones. 

As part of the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, Ruto are committed Sh9 billion to build two parallel 27 km trunk sewer networks along the Nairobi River corridor, and SSh 6 billion for a new sewer treatment plant that will treat 60,000 cubic litres of wastewater per day, securing capacity for at least the next 40 years. An additional Sh3 billion will support last-mile sewer connectivity, while Sh 15 billion is set aside for long-term sewer expansion across the city.

Further, on roads, bridges, and drainage, the National government committed to spending a total of Sh8.7 billion. He noted Sh2 billion has been allocated to complete Phase one KURA roads within the next two months.