Sifuna Slams State–County Agreement, Warns of Devolution Risks

 Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has strongly criticized the cooperation agreement signed between the national government and Nairobi City County, saying it threatens devolution and sidelines both the public and elected county representatives.

The deal, signed at State House by President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, was intended to cover four critical areas. But Sifuna, who serves as Deputy Minority Whip in the Senate, said his office was neither consulted nor involved in the process.

“This is not cooperation. It is a takeover,” he said, warning that the agreement effectively reduces the governor’s authority under a national-heavy steering committee.

Lack of public participation

Sifuna said the agreement was signed without any public consultation, in violation of constitutional requirements. Plans to hold public participation after signing, he said, are meaningless.

“Planning after the fact is not participation—it is window dressing,” he said, adding that the 14-day timeline for consultations is far too short for meaningful input.

He also noted that the agreement only allows for minor amendments, not the possibility for residents to reject it entirely.

National government dominates oversight

According to Sifuna, two-thirds of the 12-member steering committee are national government appointees, leaving the governor subordinate to the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

“This arrangement undermines accountability and diminishes Nairobi’s autonomy,” he said.

Lessons from the NMS era

The senator warned that the deal echoes the failed Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) model, which left the county with Sh16 billion in unpaid bills. He questioned why Governor Sakaja, who criticized NMS last week, would now endorse a similar system.

“Thousands of contractors are still waiting for payment. Repeating this model puts livelihoods at risk,” Sifuna said.

He also disputed claims that the national government’s contribution of Sh80 billion is generous, pointing out that more than Sh100 billion is still owed to Nairobians in unpaid rates and other obligations.

County functions and road agencies

Sifuna raised concerns over national agencies such as KURA and KeRRA continuing to manage roads in Nairobi, which he said are county functions. He noted that the late Raila Odinga had recommended dissolving the agencies in a 2025 MoU with President Ruto — a recommendation that Sifuna says has been ignored.