Ruto Announces Cash Injection to Restore Nairobi’s Cleanliness

President William Ruto, on Sunday, February 8, 2026, attended a church service at AIC Pipeline Embakasi, where he outlined an ambitious plan to transform Nairobi, saying the capital city will lead Kenya’s journey to becoming a first-world country.

Addressing congregants and local leaders, Ruto explained that meaningful national transformation must begin with Nairobi.

“Our city is changing and I want to assure the residents of Nairobi, Kenya, can’t change if we don’t change the city of Nairobi,” he said.

“The city of Nairobi, we will start changing Kenya from here. This is the capital city of Kenya. If we are going to move Kenya to the first world, Nairobi is going to lead and that is why we are determined to change this city,” he added

Call for Unity Among Leaders

The Head of State praised Nairobi leaders for working together, saying unity between elected officials and residents is critical to development.

“And me, I’m saying thank you to the leaders of Nairobi for making this unity. I can see the coming together, leaders and the people of the city of Nairobi,” he said.

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He added that the unity witnessed in Nairobi is what he hopes to see across the country, bringing together governors, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and speakers to focus on national transformation.

“As the leader of the nation, I’ll go out of my way to support this county government,” Ruto affirmed.

Three Key Priorities for Nairobi

The President revealed that he had reached an agreement with Governor Johnson Sakaja and MCAs on key priority areas aimed at improving the capital.

1. Roads and Accessibility

Ruto said each MCA will identify one critical road in their ward to be upgraded in a bid to make Nairobi more accessible.

“We should make Nairobi movable-Each MCA to look for one priority critical road so that we be able to open up the city. I’ll provide resources so that we have an easily accessible city, just like I did in Soweto last year,” he said.

He stressed that Nairobi must give the best impression as the country’s capital.

2. Water Supply Expansion

On water, Ruto announced that the Northern Collector Tunnel project has been completed, boosting Nairobi’s water supply by an additional 140 million litres.

“We are done with the northern collector tunnel. You now have an extra 140 million liters,” he said.

He further revealed that the Maragua 4 Dam, part of the 50 dams previously announced by the government, will be prioritized this year to further increase water supply to the city.

Ruto acknowledged inequalities in water access, particularly in Eastlands.

“There are many people who still buy water expensively, especially in Eastlands. Eastlands buys water expensively, while in Karen, there is no stress over buying water. And that is not okay, so we have to work on that,” he noted.

3. Street Lighting and Security

The President also pointed to street lighting as a key intervention in enhancing security.

“We have to figure out how to put in lights. Governor Sakaja had worked on some, but there is one challenge. When there are no lights in the city, then there is a lot of darkness, which increases the crime rate in the city,” he said.

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He condemned vandalism of street lights, saying it undermines safety efforts.

“There are also those people who vandalize the lights once they are pitched, which is not okay,” he added.

4. Garbage Collection and Waste Management

Ruto highlighted the need to clean up Nairobi, announcing joint funding between the national and county governments to improve garbage collection.

“Clean the city of Nairobi. It can’t be the city in the garbage. We have agreed with the governor that I’ll release money from the national government and add to the one for county government so we can clean the city,” he said.

He revealed that designated waste treatment sites have already been identified in Ruai and Dandora, where garbage will be processed to generate energy and fertilizer.

“They will be sites where energy fertilizer will come from. A treatment plant will be ready by next year, but garbage collection will start on 1st April,” he announced.

President Ruto then urged leaders at all levels to cooperate in driving Nairobi’s transformation.

“Leaders, let us work together,” he said.

The President’s remarks signal a renewed push to overhaul infrastructure, improve public services and restore Nairobi’s status as a modern and globally competitive capital city.

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President William Ruto while addressing church congregants at the AIC pipeline Embakasi
PHOTO/Ruto/X