Ruto and Sakaja Seal Deal to Jointly Manage Nairobi’s Key Services.

Announced following discussions at State House, the deal assigns the national government primary oversight of key areas such as garbage collection and disposal, public works (including road construction, maintenance, and affordable housing projects), and water supply and distribution. This collaborative approach follows public commitments made by the two leaders just days earlier during a church service, where they expressed a joint resolve to tackle long-standing urban challenges and restore Nairobi's infrastructure and livability.

The arrangement builds on historical precedents, such as the 2020 transfer of certain devolved functions to the national government under the previous Nairobi Metropolitan Services model. However, Governor Sakaja has emphasized that this is not a full handover or revival of that system; instead, it operates within existing legal provisions like the Urban Areas and Cities Act, allowing for co-management without ceding core county authority. The national government will focus on providing critical infrastructure and addressing persistent issues like the garbage crisis, while the county government continues to handle other administrative and local functions, aiming for a more efficient division of labor.

This political truce comes amid ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery in Nairobi, with both leaders highlighting the need for decisive action to benefit residents. President Ruto has stressed the importance of infrastructure development and cleaning up the city, while the partnership is seen as a practical step toward overcoming service bottlenecks through combined national and county resources. The deal reflects a renewed spirit of cooperation between the two levels of government to revitalize the capital and deliver tangible improvements for Nairobians.