Sakaja Bows to Pressure, Announces Public Participation on Cooperation Deal with Ruto
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Following criticism over a cooperation deal between President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor John Sakaja regarding the delivery of certain services, the Nairobi City County Assembly has announced public participation sessions to allow residents to review and provide feedback on the agreement.
Critics have argued that the deal effectively cedes some county functions to the national government.
In a notice dated Saturday, February 21, 2026, the Assembly throught its Clerk Edward Gichana confirmed that the Cooperation Agreement, aimed at promoting social and economic development in Nairobi, was tabled on Friday, February 20, and referred to an Ad Hoc Committee for consideration, public participation, and reporting, in line with Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act (Cap 275) and Article 196(1)(b) of the Constitution.
“The Nairobi City County Assembly is in receipt of a Message from the Governor of Nairobi City County officially notifying the Assembly on the Cooperation Agreement entered into between Nairobi City County Government and the National Government for the promotion of social and economic development in the Capital City pursuant to Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act (Cap 275),” read the notice.
Public Participation Announced Days After Ruto and Sakaja Sign Cooperation Deal
The public participation will be conducted by the Ad Hoc Committee at Charterhall on Thursday, February 26, and across all 17 sub-counties on Friday, February 27, 2026, as per the schedule provided by the Assembly.
Also Read: Nairobi County Speaker Addresses Reports of Impeachment Motion Against Sakaja
According to the notice, members of the public have been invited to submit written memoranda on the Cooperation Agreement. Submissions can be hand-delivered to the Nairobi City County Assembly, P.O. Box 45844–00100, Nairobi, City Hall Building, Assembly Wing, 2nd Floor, Room 273, or emailed to clerk@nairobiassembly.go.ke.
All submissions must be received by Friday, February 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. A copy of the agreement is available on the Assembly’s website: www.nairobiassembly.go.ke.
Public Participation Schedule
| Date | Place/Sub-County | Venue | Time |
| Thursday 26th February 2026 | City Hall | Charterhall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m |
| Friday 27th February 2026 | Ruaraka | Mathare North Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m |
| Embakasi North | Dandora Phase I Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Westlands | City Park | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Embakasi South | Mukuru Health Centre (Imara Daima) | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Kamukunji | Eastleigh North Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Makadara | Jericho Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Embakasi East | Embakasi Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Mathare | Undugu Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Embakasi Central | Kayole II Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Dagoretti North | Dagoretti Muslim Primary | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Kasarani | Kasarani Health Centre | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Embakasi West | Umoja I Grounds | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Dagoretti South | Waithaka Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Langata | Karen Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Kibra | Joseph Kang’ethe Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Starehe | Karioko Social Hall | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m | |
| Roysambu | Kahawa West Market | 9.00 a.m – 1.00 p.m |
Details of the Deal
Under the KSh 80 billion cooperation agreement, which aims to improve the capital’s livability, security, and efficiency for 4.4 million residents, key projects include completing 10,000 streetlights and installing 40,000 more, expanding electricity access in informal settlements, and upgrading water supply through major treatment and distribution projects.
Also Read: Court Issues Directions on Case Challenging Ruto–Sakaja Deal
Sanitation improvements will feature new sewer networks, a 60-million-litre treatment plant, last-mile connections, and long-term citywide expansion. Roads, bridges, and drainage systems are also set for upgrades, with targeted funding for ward-level road improvements and phase-two road projects covering 59km.
President Ruto and Governor Sakaja have insisted that no county functions have been handed over, stressing that they are only working together to improve service delivery in Nairobi.
However, on February 18, 2026, Bernard Peter and Christine Gathoni filed a constitutional petition at the Nairobi High Court to declare the KSh 80 billion Nairobi cooperation agreement unconstitutional and suspend its implementation.
They claim it unlawfully transfers county functions to the national government, bypasses public participation, excludes the County Assembly, and risks misuse of public funds.
The petition was certified urgent by Justice Bahati Mwamuye on February 19, 2026, with the hearing scheduled for March 16, 2026.
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President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. PHOTO/PCS