Nairobi MCAs approve Ksh.80B Ruto-Sakaja deal to boost services

The agreement, signed by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, involved the national government injecting Ksh.80 billion into the county to transform the city into a first-world status

The Assembly expressed confidence that the framework would ensure efficient planning, infrastructure development, and service delivery in the county. 

They further noted that all funds deployed under the cooperation framework would remain subject to established accountability structures, including oversight by Parliament of Kenya, audits by the Auditor-General, and compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and public participation requirements.

"In the agreement, we have given the steering committee 30 days to table a comprehensive working report," said Peter Imwatok, Nairobi County Majority Leader.

The assembly has also amended the agreement to include county chief officers in the oversight committee. Members said the funds will not be transferred directly to county accounts but will be managed under a structured oversight framework.

On the other hand, a section of Nairobi MCAs have renewed their efforts to impeach the governor.

Led by Minority Leader Waithera Chege, the group accuses the governor of failing to fulfill development promises, despite a similar motion being halted last year following intervention from President William Ruto and the late ODM leader Raila Odinga.

On Tuesday, the MCAs announced a fresh bid to remove Sakaja from office.

"We had planned to present the signatures for the impeachment of Sakaja, but we were unable to do so because the Clerk went into hiding. However, the Speaker has assured us that tomorrow at 11 a.m., that will happen," said Waithera Chege, Nairobi County Assembly Minority Leader.

The MCAs say they have 22 new charges against the governor, arguing that he has failed to address previous concerns despite being given three months to redeem himself. They claim there has been little or no development under his administration.

"We have 22 new counts against Sakaja. We will make the impeachment motion public once it is officially received by the Clerk. We cannot disclose the contents at this time," Chege added.

Godfrey Majiwa, MCA for Baba Dogo Ward, said, "We cannot keep redeeming someone who is always given second chances and does not reform. That is enough."

The MCAs insist they have the numbers required to remove Sakaja and said they will release the 22 charges and the names of members who signed the motion once the petition is officially received by the Clerk.

"These are members who voluntarily appended their signatures. No one was forced to sign, and once they sign, they cannot withdraw. We will make the names public once the petition is received," Chege said.