Ruto-Sakaja Nairobi deal faces real governance test
President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
A new cooperation agreement between the national government and City Hall has raised expectations for long-term drainage and water management reforms in Nairobi.
President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja’s Sh80 billion cooperation pact is now facing its first real test, as heavy rains once again expose the city’s chronic drainage failures, leaving roads flooded, homes submerged and economic activities disrupted across the capital.
The flooding, which paralysed sections of major transport corridors and residential estates again this weekend has renewed scrutiny on the ambitious agreement between the national government and City Hall, an initiative billed as a turning point in addressing Nairobi’s ageing infrastructure.
The first step towards implementing the programme began this week when Governor Sakaja chaired the inaugural implementation committee meeting under the cooperation agreement at City Hall. The meeting brought together Principal Secretaries and senior representatives from various national government ministries, departments, and agencies, forming a newly established Joint Steering Committee tasked with coordinating the rollout of projects under the Nairobi Rising agenda.
During the meeting, several subcommittees reviewed policy proposals and approved preliminary budget frameworks for priority infrastructure projects guiding the early phase of implementation. Officials discussed investments in water and sanitation including the rehabilitation of the Ng’ethu Water Treatment Plant, expansion of sewer networks and the development of last-mile sewer connectivity programmes aimed at improving sanitation access in underserved neighbourhoods.
Among the flagship investments is a Sh33 billion allocation for sewerage expansion and sanitation infrastructure, including the construction of trunk sewer lines along the Nairobi River corridor and the development of a new treatment plant to improve environmental health and accommodate the city’s growing population.
Another Sh8.7 billion has been allocated to roads, bridges and drainage infrastructure, aiming to upgrade transport corridors while integrating improved stormwater management systems to reduce the risk of flooding.
The programme also includes Sh8.5 billion for energy infrastructure, such as the installation of approximately 50,000 new streetlights and expanded electricity access in informal settlements, as well as Sh5.1 billion earmarked for water supply projects, including upgrades to the Ng’ethu Water Treatment Plant and improvements to water distribution corridors across the city.
Environmental hazards
The committee reviewed a Sh3 billion sewer connectivity initiative supported by the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, targeting improved household connections in informal settlements where inadequate sanitation has historically exposed residents to environmental hazards.
Under the Safe Streets programme, officials agreed to channel Sh8.7 billion into road upgrades, improved street lighting and the expansion of non-motorised transport infrastructure, while integrating drainage improvements into the rehabilitation of key transport corridors.
Urban planners and infrastructure experts have long argued that Nairobi’s flooding crisis is the result of decades of structural neglect rather than isolated failures of a single administration. Much of the city’s drainage network was designed during the colonial period, when the population was a fraction of today’s and large sections of land still absorbed rainwater naturally.
Over time, rapid urban expansion through residential estates, commercial developments and informal settlements replaced open spaces with concrete surfaces that accelerate stormwater runoff.
As the population surged past five million residents, the original drainage infrastructure was never systematically upgraded to match urban growth. Instead, the system has been stretched beyond capacity, leaving the city vulnerable to flash floods whenever rainfall intensity increases.
“The volume of stormwater we are witnessing is overwhelming our current urban infrastructure, much of which was not designed to handle these increasing flows,” said Mr Mugun, CEO of the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority, noting that clogged or overwhelmed drainage quickly disrupts transport networks and economic activity across the city.
Encroachment on riparian land, blocked drainage channels caused by poor waste management, and uncoordinated road construction have compounded the problem, creating a situation in which stormwater accumulates faster than the city can safely channel it away.
Following the agreement, Nairobi will receive Sh80 billion in additional funding to support a wide range of infrastructure projects addressing the city’s most persistent challenges, including drainage, sewerage, water supply, roads, and energy infrastructure. This funding comes on top of the Sh44.6 billion county budget already approved for the current financial year, effectively raising the governor’s spending envelope to approximately Sh124.6 billion.
Political risk analyst Dismas Mokua says the agreement could become a defining moment for Governor Sakaja’s political future because it raises citizen expectations.
“Citizens need to see positive changes from the deal if the governor wants a fighting chance politically,” Mr Mokua said, noting that the partnership will likely become central in political debates ahead of the next election cycle.
Makadara MP and former Nairobi mayor Aladwa said the deal is not unique, citing similar arrangements during Governor Mike Sonko’s tenure when Nairobi Metropolitan Services handled certain city functions.
“As of now, things are not looking good for the governor. Garbage is everywhere, which erodes public trust. He has to pull his socks up and correct these issues,” the MP said.
He added that, under the defunct local authority system, Nairobi received support from the national government because it is the country’s capital.
