The newly signed cooperation agreement between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government, executed by President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja, has received backing from Nairobi Members of Parliament.
Led by Ruaraka MP T. J. Kajwang, and including Esther Passaris, Felix Odiwuor (Jalang’o), Peter Orero, Senator Tabitha Mutinda, and Karen Nyamu, among others, the lawmakers insisted that the framework does not transfer any county functions to the National Government.
In a joint statement, the legislators said the February 17 agreement is anchored in Article 189 of the Constitution and Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, providing a structured framework for collaboration between the two levels of government in managing the Capital City.
“This is not a transfer of functions. The agreement does not invoke Article 187 of the Constitution and does not transfer any constitutional mandate from the Nairobi City County Government to the National Government,” the MPs stated.
The lawmakers emphasized that Nairobi’s unique position as Kenya’s Capital City demands coordinated governance beyond ordinary county operations.
“Nairobi is not only a county government under Article 176 of the Constitution; it is the Capital City of the Republic of Kenya. Effective governance of the Capital City requires structured cooperation between the two levels of government,” said T. J. Kajwang.
The MPs dismissed comparisons to previous arrangements that involved the transfer of functions, terming such claims “inaccurate and misleading.”
According to the legislators, the agreement prioritizes service delivery in key sectors affecting residents across all 17 sub-counties. These include solid waste management, roads and urban mobility, street lighting, markets and MSME infrastructure, housing-related infrastructure, water and sanitation services, and environmental rehabilitation.
“The focus is service delivery, not politics. These are everyday realities affecting families, traders, commuters, and businesses across Nairobi,” they said.
The MPs further assured residents that public funds under the cooperation framework will remain subject to strict oversight mechanisms, including the Public Finance Management Act, parliamentary scrutiny, audits 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,” the statement added.
Framing the agreement as a development-driven initiative, the legislators argued that capital cities worldwide operate through structured collaboration between national and city administrations.
“Development of the Capital City should not be stalled by partisan posturing or constitutional mischaracterization. Nairobi must not be denied the opportunity to modernize, compete globally, and provide dignified services to its residents,” they said.
The MPs concluded by affirming their commitment to upholding the Constitution, strengthening devolution, accelerating development, protecting public resources, and delivering for the people of Nairobi.
