Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has agreed to transfer several major county functions to the national government following consultations with President William Ruto, in a move aimed at improving service delivery in the capital. The new arrangement will see both levels of government share responsibilities in managing Nairobi.
The decision comes as the Cabinet also endorsed a KSh 4.7 trillion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, signaling major upcoming public spending and restructuring of priority sectors.
🏛️ Sakaja Cedes Three Functions to National Government
Under the new agreement, the Nairobi County Government will hand over three core service areas to the national government:
Garbage collection and waste management
Roads management and development
The shift is intended to fast-track service delivery, reduce operational bottlenecks, and improve coordination between national and county agencies.
Officials say the capital city faces unique pressures due to population growth, urban expansion, and infrastructure strain — factors that influenced the shared-responsibility approach.
🤝 Ruto–Sakaja Deal on Nairobi Service Delivery
President Ruto and Governor Sakaja reportedly agreed that closer collaboration between the two levels of government would help solve long-standing challenges affecting Nairobi residents.
The shared framework is expected to:
Improve garbage collection systems
Speed up road repairs and construction
Stabilize water supply and distribution
Strengthen funding and oversight
Reduce duplication of roles
The agreement marks one of the most significant functional adjustments between a county government and the national government since devolution began.
🗑️ National Government to Take Lead on Garbage, Roads, and Water
With the national government set to take charge of garbage, roads, and water supply, implementation plans are expected to outline:
Transition timelines
Responsible ministries and agencies
Budget allocations
Staff and asset transfers where necessary
Urban policy analysts say success will depend on how smoothly the transition is handled and whether accountability structures are clearly defined.
💰 Cabinet Approves KSh 4.7 Trillion Budget for 2026/27
In a related development, the Cabinet has endorsed a KSh 4.7 trillion national budget for the 2026/27 financial year. The budget is expected to prioritize:
Infrastructure development
Urban services
Water and sanitation
Transport networks
Public service delivery
The Nairobi functions transfer is likely to influence how some of these funds are allocated and managed.
📌 What This Means for Nairobi Residents
For Nairobi residents, the agreement could lead to:
Faster garbage collection
Improved road maintenance
Increased national oversight in city management
