President William Ruto is scheduled to deliver a historic address at the Nairobi County Assembly today at 2:30 PM. This event marks the first time a sitting Kenyan president has formally addressed a county assembly since the inception of devolution, signalling a deepened partnership between the National Government and the City County of Nairobi.+1
The address, which comes at the invitation of the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), follows the signing of a landmark Ksh 80 billion cooperation pact in February aimed at transforming the capital’s infrastructure and service delivery.
Key Highlights of the Ksh 80 Billion Pact
The President is expected to provide a comprehensive progress report on the 24-month implementation plan, which covers several high-priority sectors:
- Public Lighting: Ksh 3.7 billion has been earmarked to repair 10,000 stalled street lights and install 40,000 new units, transitioning many to solar to reduce maintenance costs.
- Informal Settlements: In partnership with Kenya Power, the National Government is investing Ksh 1.5 billion in transformers and “last-mile” connections to provide reliable electricity to underprivileged areas.
- Infrastructure & Environment: The deal includes Ksh 1 billion for drainage improvements to combat seasonal flooding, Ksh 2 billion for urban road completion, and the Ksh 50 billion Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, which currently employs over 4,000 youth.
- Waste Management: Commitment of Ksh 4 billion for material recovery facilities and transfer stations to modernize the city’s solid waste systems.
Heightened Security and Traffic
Security in and around City Hall has been significantly tightened ahead of the President’s arrival. As previously reported, several key roads—including City Hall Way, Wabera Street, and the Supreme Court/Parliament Roundabout—have been cordoned off.
These measures also accommodate the ongoing Africa Urban Forum at the KICC, which shares a security perimeter with City Hall.
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Preserving Devolution
President Ruto is expected to reiterate his stance on the nature of this cooperation. During the initial signing ceremony, the President dismissed concerns that the National Government was overstepping its bounds. “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,” he stated, emphasizing that the pact is a structural collaboration to help Nairobi meet its unique regional and global obligations.
The County Assembly Clerk, Edward Gichana, noted that the assembly has established new protocols to handle the historic session, which is being viewed as a pace-setting moment for intergovernmental relations in Kenya.
