Remarks · 17 February 2026
Your Excellency, the Governor of Nairobi, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our Constitution establishes two levels of government: distinct in mandate, yet interdependent in purpose.
It recognises that as our capital city grows, responsibilities expand, and national priorities evolve, the institutions of government must work in structured partnership - within the law, in coordination, and in the national interest - to guarantee effective governance and reliable service delivery.
It is in this constitutional spirit of cooperative governance that we are gathered here today to strengthen collaboration between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government, and to deliberately raise the performance, efficiency, and global standing of our capital city.
Nairobi is not merely another devolved unit. Nairobi is our capital, the seat of the Republic and the nerve centre of national administration. It hosts diplomatic missions from across the world. It is home to two United Nations agencies, the only UN headquarters presence in the Global South, and it stands as the commercial, financial, and innovation hub of our region.
For many visitors and investors, Nairobi is not just the face of Kenya; Nairobi is Kenya. That standing carries a serious obligation - a capital city must work. It must function. It must meet the highest standards of order, infrastructure, efficiency, and service delivery not only for its 4.4 million residents, but also for the millions who depend on it every day.
Yet the fiscal and operational framework of county financing was not designed for a capital city of this scale and responsibility. Nairobi carries national, regional, and global obligations, but is funded largely through the same formula as other counties.
Today’s cooperation agreement is designed to close that gap fully and within the confines of the Constitution and other applicable laws.
Let me be clear on the legal foundation. Article 189(2) of our Constitution requires the two levels of government to cooperate, assist, and consult each other. The Intergovernmental Relations Act provides mechanisms for formal coordination agreements. The Urban Areas and Cities Act recognises the special status of the capital city of Nairobi and provides the framework for joint cooperation.
Indeed, since the enactment of the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2012, this cooperation agreement is fourteen years late. It should have been in place with the advent of devolution.
What we are augmenting today is not a transfer of functions. The Nairobi City County Government retains its legal mandate. What is being enhanced is structured national government support where the capital city’s performance affects the entire Republic.
This cooperation agreement focuses on four key work streams: Water and sewerage; roads, bridges, and drainage; housing and related infrastructure development, including lighting; as well as solid waste management and Nairobi Rivers regeneration.
On street lighting, Nairobi has about 70,000 lighting points, but only 21,000 — about 30% — are fully operational today. A city of Nairobi’s stature must be fully lit, fully safe, and fully functional. To address this, we are committing KSh 3.7 billion towards street lighting modernisation and expansion.
Under this agreement, we will complete 10,000 and install an additional 40,000 light points. Because high electricity costs contribute to outages, we will transition progressively to solar solutions. We will also commercialise lighting poles so that advertising revenue supports maintenance. Going forward, the construction of new roads will include lighting by design.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Across the city’s nine major informal settlements, families sometimes pay more for illegal electricity than residents in formal estates pay legally; in some cases, up to 150% more. This is an injustice we must correct.
The National Government, working with Kenya Power, will invest KSh1.5 billion in transformers and proper last-mile connections, alongside a prepaid bulk framework to lower power costs for low-income households.
In the long term, we will transform informal settlements through affordable housing and a KSh3.3 billion upgrading programme covering transformers, prepaid metering, and settlement lighting around footpaths, markets, schools, and health facilities.
On water and sanitation, Nairobi faces both a supply shortage and significant system losses. We will invest KSh2.1 billion at Ng'ethu Treatment Plant to stop daily losses of approximately 50,000 cubic litres. Another KSh3 billion will go into the GigiriShauri Moyo evacuation corridor to stabilise and extend supply to high-demand zones.
At the same time, we are mobilising funding for Maragua IV and Northern Collector II to secure long-term water stability for Nairobi and neighbouring counties.
On sanitation, as part of the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, we are committing KSh 9 billion to build two parallel 27 km trunk sewer networks along the Nairobi River corridor, and KSh 6 billion for a new sewer treatment plant that will treat 60,000 cubic litres of wastewater per day, securing capacity for at least the next 40 years. An additional KSh 3 billion will support last-mile sewer connectivity, while KSh 15 billion is set aside for long-term sewer expansion across the city.
On roads, bridges, and drainage, we are spending a total of KSh 8.7 billion. KSh 2 billion has been allocated to complete Phase One KURA roads within the next two months. We are also mobilising additional funding of KSh 1.7 billion for a 59 km road package starting in April 2026 under Phase Two. Phase Three, valued at KSh 5 billion, will also be procured this financial year.
In every ward, we will enhance road networks under a KSh5 billion mobility and safety programme complemented by KSh3.7 billion from the county government. A further KSh1 billion is dedicated to drainage improvements.
In solid waste management, the county will allocate 100 acres for Material Recovery Facilities and four transfer stations, committing KSh4 billion, while the National Government will provide KSh2 billion within the existing framework to advance circular waste systems.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Security is non-negotiable for a modern capital like Nairobi. I therefore direct the Cabinet Secretary for Interior to prepare and present, within 60 days, a framework for a dedicated Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit. We will make Nairobi safe for citizens, visitors, investors, and businesses alike.
Our cooperation with the Nairobi City County Government, ladies and gentlemen, is not beginning today. This partnership is already visible in the Nairobi River Regeneration Program, a KSh50 billion initiative transforming riverine settlements through housing, sanitation, public spaces, and environmental restoration, and employing over 45,000 young people.
Today, we are amplifying what we already started. With an initial quantified capital package of about KSh 80 billion across priority sectors, this structured partnership is designed to deliver measurable impact and expand opportunities for all in Nairobi County.
Taken together, these enhanced cooperation measures will make Nairobi more livable, more secure, and more efficient. Additionally, they will elevate its stature. In practical terms, this means safer streets, better lighting, reliable water, improved sanitation, stronger mobility, modern waste management systems, and enhanced urban security.
This will strengthen Nairobi’s standing as a capital worthy of the Republic it serves - orderly, functional, competitive, and globally respected - a first-rank African metropolis that reflects our national ambition and commands both local and international confidence. I thank you.