Charter Hall Hosts Heated Debate Over Sh80 Billion Nairobi Deal

Mixed reactions greeted the Sh80 billion cooperation agreement between the National Government and Nairobi City County Government as residents clashed over its timing, transparency, and potential impact.

During a charged public participation forum at Charter Hall on Wednesday, Nairobians dissected the structured partnership announced in February 2026, which aims to overhaul service delivery in the capital.

While a section of residents welcomed the deal as a long-overdue rescue plan for a struggling city, others questioned why public participation was being conducted after the agreement had already been signed.

Supporters argued that the partnership could finally address Nairobi’s chronic waste management crisis, poor drainage systems, and crumbling roads.

“This city has suffered for years because of turf wars between the county and national government. If this cooperation brings efficiency and funding, we support it,” said one participant.

Under the agreement, the National Government is expected to inject approximately Sh80 billion to boost garbage collection, improve roads and drainage infrastructure, and enhance water supply systems.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has maintained that the arrangement is a collaboration—not a takeover. He emphasized that, unlike the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) model, no core county functions will be transferred.

“This is not a repeat of NMS. It is structured cooperation meant to strengthen service delivery while preserving devolved functions,” Sakaja has stated previously.

However, critics at the forum accused leaders of putting the cart before the horse.

“How do you sign an Sh80 billion agreement before asking residents for their views? Public participation should not be a rubber stamp,” another resident posed.

The shadow of the former Nairobi Metropolitan Services arrangement loomed large in the discussions, with some participants wary of what they described as “creeping re-centralization.”

To steer the partnership, a high-level committee chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and co-chaired by Governor Sakaja has been constituted. The committee will oversee implementation and coordination between the two levels of government.

Speaker Ken Ngondi defended the process, citing Article 186 of the Constitution and Section 6(5) of the Urban Areas and Cities Act as the legal foundation for intergovernmental cooperation.

The Nairobi City County Assembly has since rolled out public participation forums across all 17 sub-counties, with further engagements scheduled for Friday.