Nairobi County and National Government Sign a Collaboration Deal

Nairobi County and the national government have signed a deal to work together, formalising collaboration on key projects and coordination of county and national functions. Speaking during the signing ceremony at State House on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the agreement is 13 years overdue and will enable the capital city to leverage its unique position to access special attention, resources and support. “Today is a great day for the capital city of the Republic of Kenya. In the 13 years of devolution, Nairobi city county has not had an opportunity to leverage and benefit from its unique position as a capital city of the Republic of Kenya to get the special attention, resources and support it requires for the benefit of the people,” Sakaja stated. Legal framework The governor said the agreement is anchored on Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, emphasising that the provisions of the Act were already in existence. “Section six of the urban areas and cities act which anchors this agreement provides that beyond being a county like the other 46 counties, Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya, the city of the national government, host to diplomatic missions including the only United Nations headquarters in the global south and the center of commerce and industry of the entire region requiring a special arrangement,” he said. “This agreement is 13 years overdue as the provisions of the Urban Areas and Cities act were already in existence,” the governor added. According to Sakaja, the county and national government have already been partnering in various areas, but the agreement provides a legal framework to solidify these arrangements. “Your excellency, already we’ve been partnering in a number of issues such as the Nairobi rivers commission and the regeneration of the river, water provision to the city, the school food feeding program which has a separate agreement, roads and mobility, markets, housing, among other areas. This agreement solidifies those arrangements, providing a legal framework for additional support, including partnership in security and order,” he said. Spirit of devolution Sakaja emphasised that the agreement represents the true spirit of devolution as a partnership rather than competition between levels of government. “This is the true spirit of devolution. Partnership between the levels of government. A lot can be achieved when we come together. Devolution is not a competition. Devolution is a collaboration,” he said. Using a metaphor, the governor explained the complementary nature of county and national government. “Your Excellency, Devolution is like asking a bird, asking, and I’ve said this before, for a bird to fly, which wing does it need, the right wing or the left wing? It needs both wings to fly. The national government and the county government,” Sakaja stated. The governor concluded by committing to making Nairobi work as part of the government’s transformation agenda. “We’re on the journey to Singapore and Nairobi will not be left behind. This is the capital of Singapore. Excellency, the capital city will remain at the center of the transformation to first world status,” Sakaja said. “Your excellency, we’re committing to make Nairobi work because Lazima Nairobi iwork. Singapore here we come. Thank you very much,” Sakaja stated.