The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has urged that the cooperation agreement signed on February 17 between William Ruto and Johnson Sakaja be suspended, arguing that his office was excluded from consultations before it was finalised.
Addressing the media on February 18, Sifuna said the deal disregards constitutional provisions and weakens the Senate’s mandate to safeguard devolution.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
He maintained that neither he nor his office was involved in discussions leading up to the signing, adding that the agreement itself admits there was no public participation beforehand — a move he termed a serious constitutional breach.
The pact establishes a two-tier governance structure made up of a Steering Committee and an Implementation Committee to coordinate development projects in Nairobi. However, Sifuna argued that the committees are largely controlled by national government appointees.
He claimed the structure effectively places the Governor in a subordinate position to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, describing the arrangement not as collaboration but as a takeover of county functions.
Sifuna also took issue with the speed at which the agreement is set to be implemented. The deal is expected to take effect within 14 days, with public participation slated to occur only after it was signed — a timeline he questioned as inadequate for meaningful engagement.
The Senator further cited long-standing financial disputes, alleging that the national government owes Nairobi County more than Sh100 billion in unpaid rates and obligations. He referenced Sakaja’s earlier remarks at the County Assembly criticising the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) model, which reportedly left Sh16 billion in pending bills.
According to Sifuna, the new framework mirrors the NMS arrangement and could undermine oversight by the County Assembly, the Senate, and the Office of the Auditor-General. He insisted that development can proceed without bypassing constitutional safeguards.
Click Here To Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel
He proposed alternative measures, including settling outstanding debts owed by national agencies, transferring county functions in line with previous agreements, dissolving KURA and KeRRA, and leveraging conditional grants to fund projects lawfully.
Sifuna concluded by urging both leaders to withdraw the agreement in the public interest and uphold constitutional principles.
The cooperation pact seeks to enhance collaboration between the national and county governments on projects such as roads, markets, drainage, and waste management. It is chaired by Musalia Mudavadi, with Governor Sakaja serving as vice-chair, and includes representatives from various national ministries alongside two nominees from the Nairobi Governor.
Sifuna’s objections have sparked fresh debate over the consultation process and the balance of authority under the new arrangement, with his office calling for a review to protect devolution and public accountability.
