President William Ruto signed a landmark cooperation agreement with Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja, emphasizing national unity and pragmatic solutions over political posturing.
The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration between the national government and Nairobi city leadership, addressing service delivery, urban development, and key infrastructure projects.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, on Tuesday, February 17, President Ruto sent a pointed message to critics, calling for constructive engagement rather than divisive rhetoric.
"Any person who has better ideas should come forward. Noise, name calling, drama, and activism will not change our country. We must be patriotic. If you hate your country, how is that a solution? If you’re negative about your country, don’t look for anybody to blame, go to the mirror—that is the person to blame," he said.
Ruto also appealed to citizens to move beyond partisan politics, highlighting the need for collective action to improve Nairobi's governance and public services.
"I want to persuade the many people who never see anything good about our country and our city. There comes a time where we must put aside partisanship and posturing. This is not an occasion for us to throw around titles; excellency this and excellency the other one, honourable this and honourable the other one. It is a time when we should hold hands together so that we can take charge of our city," he stated.
By formalizing cooperation between the county and national governments, the initiative seeks to fast-track projects in key sectors such as healthcare, housing, roads, and waste management.
Governor Sakaja expressed optimism about the partnership, noting that joint efforts could help address longstanding challenges and enhance Nairobi's development trajectory.
He emphasized that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to putting residents’ needs above political rivalries.
The signing comes amid rising public debate over urban governance, with citizens increasingly calling for accountability, efficiency, and tangible progress.
President Ruto’s message underscores the administration’s stance that solutions require collaboration and patriotism, rather than blame-shifting and partisan conflicts.
The Nairobi-Sakaja cooperation deal is now set to guide coordinated development plans, with both leaders urging stakeholders, civic groups, and residents to actively participate in shaping the city’s future.