Cooperation agreements between national and county governments often mark pivotal moments in urban governance. They balance the benefits of pooled resources against the risks of losing local autonomy. Nairobi’s recent pact, signed on February 17 between President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja, embodies this dynamic. The deal unlocks Sh80 million for waste management, water distribution, and road upgrades, signaling a strategic alliance to revitalize Kenya’s capital amid political tensions.
For residents, the promise is tangible. Nairobi faces daily challenges erratic water supply, overflowing landfills, and pothole laden streets. Citizens endure long commutes, health risks from garbage, and infrastructure shortfalls. The pact’s interventions, if implemented well, could directly improve these conditions. Yet political calculations, accountability concerns, and lessons from past interventions raise questions about whether this is a genuine partnership or a temporary fix.
Lessons from History
Kenya’s 2010 Constitution devolved power to counties, giving them fiscal and administrative independence. Nairobi, the country’s economic hub, has repeatedly tested these boundaries. The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), established in 2020 under Uhuru Kenyatta, centralized key functions, bypassing the county. Critics said it undermined devolution, and it was eventually dissolved amid legal challenges and elections in 2022.
The current pact differs. Legal safeguards are embedded from the start. Public participation was enforced, with Nairobi County Assembly members scrutinizing the agreement before approval. This ensures transparency and accountability, helping prevent elite capture. Informal settlements like Kibera and Mathare, often left behind in service delivery, stand to benefit if the process remains equitable. Globally, cities like Lagos and Johannesburg have succeeded through intergovernmental and public-private partnerships. Nairobi’s pact mirrors this approach: national resources complement the county’s local insight. But history warns of pitfalls. Without strong handover clauses, joint ventures can erode county authority and create dependency.
Funding and Project Priorities
The Sh80 million allocation targets Nairobi’s most pressing needs. Waste management addresses a city that produces over 2,500 tons of garbage daily. Funds could modernize landfills, establish recycling hubs, and upgrade aging trucks. Water distribution improvements aim to expand coverage beyond the current 40%, possibly through rehabilitated pipelines and boreholes. Road works will prioritize major arteries like Thika Road and Ngong Road, reducing congestion that costs the economy an estimated 3% of GDP annually.
An ad hoc committee refined the agreement after public participation. It separated projects: county-led routine maintenance remains local, while high-impact ventures are handled nationally. The Steering Committee must produce a detailed list of activities, costs, timelines, and implementers. Majority Leader Peter Imwatok clarified that funds bypass county executive accounts, going directly to designated entities. This protects against mismanagement, a concern that has plagued City Hall in the past.
Accountability and Oversight
Nairobi MCAs did not approve the pact blindly. They strengthened it with oversight mechanisms. Projects must revert to the county after completion, preventing permanent national control. Sectoral County Executive Committee members are included in monitoring. Quarterly reports and plenary scrutiny will ensure transparency and results-driven governance.
Public participation amplified resident concerns. Forums likely questioned whether funds would favour affluent areas like Westlands over Eastlands. The itemisation clause encourages data driven allocations and could integrate GIS mapping for equitable rollout. Procurement and supply chain professionals will recognise these practices as mirroring e-procurement transparency and milestone tracking, reducing leakage in a sector often prone to corruption.
Political Stakes and Public Perception
Supporters frame the pact as pragmatic. Nasra Nanda called it a milestone, mobilizing resources beyond Nairobi’s Sh15–20 billion revenue base. Imwatok reassured skeptics about fund management. Sakaja positions himself as a dealmaker rather than a supplicant. Yet critics remain. Minority MCAs cite Sakaja’s service lapses, from uncollected garbage to burst water pipes. Impeachment petitions reference Article 181, alleging misconduct. History repeats: Nairobi governors often become lightning rods for urban frustrations, as seen during Mike Sonko’s tenure.
Residents remain the ultimate judges. With a population of 5.5 million, success will be measured in cleaner streets, better water, and smoother traffic. Positive outcomes could boost tourism, manufacturing, and logistics efficiency.
Broader Implications for Devolution
The pact tests devolution’s resilience nearly two decades after the 2010 Constitution. Proponents see counties leveraging national capacity for complex projects like climate-resilient infrastructure. Detractors fear regression, with counties reduced to junior partners.
Economically, the pact could accelerate Nairobi’s growth as Africa’s Silicon Savannah. Reliable utilities support tech hubs like Konza and improve logistics for businesses. Socially, equitable service delivery could reduce youth unrest and channel energies into skills development. Risks remain. Poor oversight could breed scandals, erode trust, and invite political backlash. Sakaja gains political cover, but failure would fuel criticism.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Partnerships
For lasting impact, the pact must prioritize capacity building and real-time monitoring. Metrics like tons of waste cleared, liters of water delivered, and kilometers of resurfaced roads will anchor evaluations. Nationally, the model can guide other cities, from Mombasa’s port upgrades to Kisumu’s waterfront projects. Globally, it aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 11: sustainable cities.
Ultimately, Nairobi’s pact is more than politics. It is a template for intergovernmental cooperation, where national resources and county autonomy can coexist. If executed transparently, it can transform Nairobi into a model of urban progress, proving that effective governance delivers tangible dividends for citizens.
