Africa-Press – Kenya. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for the cooperation agreement signed on February 17 between President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to be shelved, saying his office was not consulted before the deal was finalised.
Speaking to journalists on February 18, Sifuna argued the agreement undermines constitutional principles and the role of the Senate in protecting devolved units.
“My office was neither involved nor consulted before this decision was taken. Indeed, the so-called Cooperation Agreement itself acknowledges that no public participation was conducted prior to the signing yesterday, a violation of the Constitution too egregious to ignore,” Sifuna said.
The agreement, which sets up a two-tier governance framework comprising a Steering Committee and an Implementation Committee, is aimed at coordinating development projects in the capital.
Sifuna described the committees as heavily dominated by national government appointees.
“From its structure, the Governor will play subservient to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, making Sakaja the new Deputy Governor for all intents and purposes. This, to me, is not cooperation but takeover,” he said.
Sifuna claimed the agreement was rushed, noting that it is set to take effect within 14 days, while public participation is scheduled only after the signing.
“It is not only disrespectful to the people of Nairobi but the clearest indication that it is anything but what we are being told it is. One wonders whether any meaningful public participation can be had in such a short period,” he said.
The Senator highlighted what he described as the continuing culture of unpaid bills and weak accountability in Nairobi. He claimed that the National Government still owes the city more than Sh100 billion in unpaid rates and other obligations.
Sifuna also reminded Governor Sakaja of his own statements last week in the County Assembly, where he criticised the Nairobi Metropolitan Services model that left the county with a Sh16 billion hole in pending bills.
“He should have used the opportunity yesterday to remind the President that thousands of contractors and workers are still owed money,” Sifuna said.
According to the Senator, the agreement replicates the NMS model, which he said threatens oversight and accountability by the County Assembly, the Senate, and the Office of the Auditor-General. He said that development in Nairobi could be achieved without compromising constitutional safeguards.
Sifuna outlined what he said should have been done instead. These included clearing outstanding obligations of over Sh100 billion owed by national government agencies, transferring county functions in accordance with previous agreements, dissolving KURA and KeRRA, and using existing legal instruments like conditional grants to fund development projects.
“So you see Mr President, it is possible to remain faithful to your oath of Office. We want development, but only if undertaken in strict accordance with the Constitution. This in fact is the very foundation of leadership. I urge both parties to shelve this agreement in the public interest and maintain fidelity to the Constitution,” he said.
The cooperation agreement is intended to streamline collaboration between the national and county governments for projects such as roads, markets, drainage, and garbage collection.
It is chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, with Governor Sakaja as vice-chair, and includes national government officials from various ministries alongside two representatives nominated by the Nairobi Governor.
Sifuna’s call raises questions about the consultation process and the balance of power in the new framework. His office has urged both the national and county governments to reconsider the agreement to safeguard devolved governance and public interest.
