President William Ruto announced a new partnership framework with the Nairobi County Government, outlining four key areas of cooperation. He clarified that this agreement is not a takeover of county functions but rather structured support from the national government to enhance the capital city's performance.

• The cooperation focuses on improving water and sewerage systems, rehabilitating roads, bridges, and drainage, developing housing and related infrastructure, and managing solid waste while regenerating the Nairobi River.
• Ruto emphasized that his administration aims to assist Nairobi, citing obligations as the President of Kenya, particularly where the capital's performance impacts the entire republic.
• The initiative includes committing KSh 3.7 billion towards modernizing and expanding street lighting, with a goal to complete 10,000 and install an additional 40,000 lighting points.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has signed a cooperation deal with the National Government at State House to collaborate on certain county functions. He emphasized this agreement is a collaboration, not a transfer of functions like the previous arrangement under the NMS.

• The previous NMS arrangement left the city with Sh16 billion in pending bills.
• The cooperation aims to address the demanding needs of Nairobi, a capital city with a population of close to 7 million residents.
• Governor Sakaja stated that the current equitable share and own-source revenue are insufficient for the city's needs.

Nairobi County Senator Edwin Sifuna has issued a strong warning to Governor Johnson Sakaja regarding a planned Cooperation Agreement between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government, scheduled for signing at State House on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM.

• Sifuna expressed surprise and questioned why Nairobi residents and county leadership were not consulted, stating, "Any unconstitutional clawback to devolution shall be strenuously resisted."
• The signing ceremony is confirmed by a media invite for February 17, 2026.
• Governor Sakaja previously dismissed claims of transferring county functions, citing the costly 2020 Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) arrangement that resulted in Ksh16 billion in pending bills.

A Kenyan lobby group, Katiba Institute, has formally demanded answers from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja regarding a reported collaboration between the Nairobi County Government and the national government on key functions. This request comes ahead of a scheduled signing of the cooperation agreement today, February 17.

• Katiba Institute expects a substantive response from Nairobi County within 21 days, citing the public's constitutional right to information under Article 35.
• The lobby group is seeking clarity on the partnership's legal basis, scope, and the role of the County Assembly.
• Functions reportedly set to be ceded to the national government include waste management, road infrastructure, sewerage, water distribution, and street lighting.
• Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also criticized Governor Sakaja, warning against bypassing constitutional procedures in the transfer of county functions.

President William Ruto has directed the Cabinet Secretary for Interior to establish a dedicated Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit within 60 days to address security challenges in the capital.

• The directive aims to enhance security in Nairobi.
• The order was given to Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior.
• The unit is expected to be formed within a timeframe of 60 days.