Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has detailed the expansive impact of a new cooperation agreement between the national government and Nairobi City County, framing it as a vital step for the city’s future. He told the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Inter-governmental Relations that this framework will fundamentally overhaul the capital’s infrastructure and service delivery while boosting its global competitiveness.
Mudavadi characterized the partnership between President William Ruto’s administration and Governor Johnson Sakaja as a deliberate strategy to tackle the persistent urban challenges that have long hindered the city.
In his submissions, Mudavadi pointed out that Nairobi’s success remains tied to its unique status as a regional and international powerhouse. He argued that the city’s responsibilities extend far beyond those of a typical county, given its role as the economic heartbeat of East Africa and a major hub for the United Nations. By strengthening the link between the two levels of government, he believes the state can better meet the diplomatic and economic obligations inherent to a global city.
“This agreement represents a deliberate and structured effort by both levels of government to strengthen collaboration in the delivery of critical services and infrastructure within the Capital City,” Mudavadi told senators.
“Nairobi is far more than an ordinary county. It is the political and economic capital of East Africa, a critical international centre for the United Nations and a hub for diplomatic missions, global organisations and multinational corporations. Its performance therefore carries national, regional and global obligations that no other county bears,” Mudavadi said.
The cooperation agreement commits approximately Sh80 billion to urban transformation projects throughout Nairobi. Mudavadi noted that the scale of this investment underscores the urgent need to close infrastructure gaps and eliminate inefficiencies in service delivery.
Drawing on the latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, he pointed out that Nairobi generates more than Sh4.1 trillion in annual economic output, contributing 27.5% of the country’s Gross Value Added. He argued that enhancing the city’s functionality will provide a substantial boost to the national economy.
The partnership targets several sectors that have struggled with fragmented management between national and county agencies. Key priorities include solid waste management, road construction, pedestrian infrastructure, street lighting, and the development of markets and housing. Water supply and sanitation services also sit at the core of the plan.
Mudavadi stated that these areas will finally benefit from a unified approach to planning and execution, ensuring that both levels of government work in sync to provide efficient urban services.
“The agreement establishes a unified framework for planning and implementation, reducing fragmentation and duplication across agencies,” he said. “It ensures both levels of government work in a synchronized manner to deliver urban services efficiently.”
The Prime Cabinet Secretary pointed to immediate actions, such as desilting drainage systems and reopening river pathways blocked by illegal structures, as early proof that the new partnership is already delivering results.
To maintain this momentum, Mudavadi explained that the agreement establishes a two-tier governance structure to manage the workload. He chairs the Joint Steering Committee, which provides high-level policy direction and strategic oversight.
Meanwhile, Governor Sakaja chairs the Implementation Committee – co-chaired by the Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development – to handle the daily coordination and execution of specific projects. Mudavadi noted that this collaborative design ensures that long-term strategy and actual field execution remain perfectly aligned.
By pooling national and county resources, the government aims to break down the institutional silos that have historically delayed major infrastructure projects in Nairobi. This streamlined approach is expected to accelerate delivery times and improve service quality across roads, housing, waste management, and water services.
Mudavadi also revealed that his office has produced seven white papers detailing specific commitments, procurement schedules, and delivery milestones. These documents will serve as a roadmap to hold both levels of government accountable for tangible progress.
“This collaborative architecture ensures continuous alignment between strategy and execution,” Mudavadi said. “It enables both levels of government to reduce duplication, accelerate delivery of priority services, and ensure accountability through continuous progress tracking and resolution of bottlenecks.”
“I wish to reiterate that the Cooperation Agreement is a lawful and constitutionally grounded framework that strengthens intergovernmental collaboration without undermining the principles of devolution,” he told the committee.
“The government remains committed to ensuring that its implementation results in tangible improvements in service delivery, infrastructure development and overall quality of life within the Capital City.”
The post Mudavadi Explains How Sh80B Billion Nairobi Cooperation Agreement Will Transform Capital appeared first on Bossnana.
