Sifuna Slams Nairobi Function Transfer
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has expressed concern over a planned State House signing ceremony. The event, scheduled for 3 pm on Tuesday, February 17, will reportedly see President William Ruto formalize cooperation with the Nairobi County Government.
According to Sifuna, the ceremony appears to transfer certain county responsibilities to the national government. This, he says, contradicts prior assurances from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Sifuna Calls for Electoral Involvement
In a statement on X, Sifuna stressed that transferring county functions requires the involvement of Nairobi residents.
He further warned that leadership and the electorate must be consulted before making such decisions. A detailed statement is expected to follow.
Governor Sakaja Assures County Powers Remain
Earlier, Governor Sakaja reassured the public that Nairobi’s constitutional powers would remain intact. Speaking to the Nairobi County Assembly on February 11, he said:
“I honour the mandate the people of Nairobi gave me. We shall not transfer our functions. However, cooperation with the National Government is encouraged.”
Sakaja
He emphasized that collaboration aims to improve efficiency, particularly in critical sectors like solid waste management.
Comparison to Nairobi Metropolitan Services
Observers have drawn comparisons with the 2020 Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) initiative, where some county functions were managed by the national government.
Details of the current agreement remain limited, but both officials appear committed to clarifying the scope of cooperation.
The signing ceremony is set for Tuesday afternoon, with many awaiting further clarification. Meanwhile, political observers are watching closely to see how the event impacts county autonomy and service delivery in Nairobi.
