Following a Ksh80 billion cooperation agreement between Nairobi City County and the National Government, President William Ruto assured residents that Nairobi remains under Governor Johnson Sakaja's leadership. The pact is intended to support development projects, not to take over county functions, with a focus on transforming Nairobi into a modern and livable city.

• The cooperation agreement is valued at Ksh80 billion.
• President William Ruto stated the agreement is for development support, not a takeover.
• Initiatives like the Nairobi River Regeneration and Engineering Works Programme are critical to the city's future.

Kenya's National and Nairobi County governments have signed a Ksh80 billion cooperation pact to streamline urban development, with President William Ruto dismissing claims of a takeover. The agreement, signed at State House Nairobi, focuses on improving infrastructure and services across the capital.

• The pact allocates Ksh3.7 billion to complete 10,000 stalled street lights and install an additional 40,000 new lights across Nairobi.
• The President reaffirmed, "There is no transfer of functions happening. For the avoidance of doubt, I have no interest in running the city of Nairobi, my hands are full." This was echoed by Governor Johnson Sakaja, who clarified it is a collaboration, not a transfer like the past NMS model.
• Ksh9 billion is committed to building two parallel 27-kilometre trunk sewer lines along the Nairobi River corridor, and Ksh6 billion for a new sewer treatment plant with a capacity of 60 million litres per day.

The High Court has declared a petition challenging the cooperation deal between the national government and Nairobi County as urgent, setting the stage for a hearing on March 16. This agreement, signed between President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, is being scrutinized for its constitutional implications.

• The petition, filed on February 18 by two Kenyans, argues the deal undermines devolution by allowing the national government to intervene directly in county functions.
• Justice Bahati Mwamuyi certified the case as urgent, acknowledging its public interest and potential impact on Nairobi residents.
• Respondents have until February 27 to file their responses, with subsequent submissions scheduled for March 13.
• The petitioners are seeking conservatory orders to halt the agreement's implementation and requesting empanelment under Article 165(4) of the Constitution.

The High Court has declared a petition challenging the cooperation agreement between the Nairobi County government and the national government as urgent.

• The agreement was signed on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi, with President William Ruto present.
• Petitioners Christine Gathoni and Benard Peter are questioning the legality of the agreement.
• Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled the application raises serious issues requiring priority, with the main application to be heard on March 16, 2026.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has opposed a proposed cooperation deal between the National Government and the Nairobi County Government, labeling it a power grab and unlawful. He suggests conditional grants as an alternative to what he views as an undermining of constitutional autonomy.

• Senator Sifuna argues the deal would set a dangerous precedent for centralization of power.
• The deal seeks to transfer key city functions from Nairobi County Government to the National Government.
• Senator Sifuna advocates for sector-specific conditional grants to address funding gaps while allowing the county to retain control.