Edwin Sifuna has opposed the cooperation agreement signed between the Nairobi County Government and the Government of Kenya, urging leaders to shelve the deal and instead pursue solutions anchored in the Constitution.
Speaking to the press after Governor Johnson Sakaja signed the agreement with President William Ruto on Tuesday, the Nairobi senator warned that the arrangement risks undermininlg devolution and weakening county autonomy.
He argued that Nairobi’s challenges can be resolved through lawful fiscal and administrative measures without ceding county functions to the national government.
Sifuna called on the President to compel national government agencies to settle outstanding debts owed to the county, saying the unpaid obligations exceed KSh 100 billion.
According to him, the funds could be ring-fenced to finance development projects and clear pending bills that have strained service delivery.
“Mr President, this is what I would have done: direct that all national government agencies that owe money to the Nairobi County Government to clear their obligations,” he said, adding that the recovered funds would ease the county’s financial pressures.
The senator further proposed the full transfer of devolved functions to counties in line with the Constitution and the memorandum of understanding previously signed with Raila Odinga.
He also suggested dissolving the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), with their budgets redirected to Nairobi County to manage road infrastructure directly.
In addition, Sifuna highlighted delays in the disbursement of shareable revenue to counties, noting that late transfers continue to hamper planning and service delivery across devolved units.
The cooperation deal has sparked political debate, with supporters arguing it will streamline services in the capital, while critics warn it could erode the gains of devolution.
As the discussion unfolds, the legality and long-term impact of the agreement are expected to remain at the center of national discourse.