'I am happy, it should have been done long ago'; Sakaja says on cooperation deal

According to Sakaja, the agreement is the only viable solution to cure the perennial problems dogging Nairobians for aeons.

He said that the additional fund will ease development and service delivery to county residents amid a dire need to make the city motorable, improve lighting, manage waste collection and bolster security.

"I am happy about this agreement. This is something that should have been done 14 years ago because this is the capital. It is in the interest of the people," he told Radio Citizen on Thursday.

He disputed claims that the partnership is a takeover by the National Government, saying it is a development plan to boost revenue allocation to achieve the counties development plan.

"It is not a transfer of functions, and I will not allow that. Nairobi will run those functions, and those that belong to the National government will need more funding," he noted.

He also noted that the National Government will not, as alleged, take over the function of revenue collection, and it remains a county function. He said that the current annual budget of Ksh.33 billion cannot sustain the city's ambitious transformation plan.

Through the agreement, Sakaja noted that Nairobi's water supply problems will be solved through the construction of the Maragua 4 dam, which is set to produce 130 million litres (13,000 cubic metres) for daily consumption.

Nairobi has been getting its water from four sources, among them the Kikuyu springs, which supply 6,000 cubic metres (6 million litres) every day, the Ruiru dam, the Sasumua dam, which gives 60 million litres a day and the Ndakaini dam.

"They all supply 529 million litres, and the demand in Nairobi needs 970 million litres per day," Sakaja noted.

Likewise, the road network is set to be revamped as every ward is set to have a one-kilometre road expansion, a project that will cost Ksh.7 billion.

An additional Ksh.3.7 billion is set to be used to add 50,000 street lights, as Sakaja noted that the electricity bill will be paid by the national government.

Currently, according to the Governor, Nairobi has 65,000 streetlights that are still insufficient.

The agreement was met with tough contention from Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who argued that it breached legal provisions, demanding that the agreement be shelved and all legal provisions be utilised, threatening legal action if his request is not met.

"If it is not possible for them to consider this request, we will use all available means, legal and otherwise, to enforce adherence to the constitution. This matter will be on the floor of the Senate very soon," he said.