Nairobi Senate Committee to Review City Hall Cooperation Agreement Amid Financial Scrutiny
Nairobi – The Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations is preparing to assess the cooperation agreement between City Hall and the Nairobi County Government. This review follows a meeting with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, where senators expressed concerns regarding the agreement’s intent, legality, and financial oversight.
During the meeting, Governor Sakaja emphasized the significance of the agreement, asserting that it is a legally sound framework that aligns with global best practices. “I am confident in this agreement. If implemented effectively, it could solve Nairobi’s financial challenges, allowing us to thrive as a city,” Sakaja stated passionately.
The governor highlighted the inadequacy of Nairobi’s current budget, which is approximately KSh 45 billion. He compared this figure to Paris, which has a budget of KSh 1.5 trillion for a population of two million, while Nairobi has seven million residents. “For Nairobi to reach an international standard, we need substantial financial support,” he remarked.
Sakaja clarified that the cooperation agreement does not constitute a transfer of functions as outlined by Article 187 of the Constitution, which would otherwise require a formal transfer process and potentially lead to the establishment of an institution like the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS). “This is not about transferring functions. The county will continue to operate as such, with the National Government providing additional resources for development,” he explained.
In response to ongoing inquiries, Sakaja pointed to the government’s previous and planned contributions to Nairobi’s growth. Recently, the National Government allocated KSh 1 billion for the construction of new classrooms in the capital, some of which were completed and handed over this week. “There’s no need to struggle with our budget when the law allows this type of cooperation. We embraced it as a necessary strategy,” he noted.
As discussions progressed, senators raised concerns about the proposed KSh 80 billion package’s financial management and accountability, given the dual involvement of national and county governments. The governor reassured the committee about oversight processes. “Parliament has a constitutional mandate for oversight. While the National Assembly focuses on national expenditure, the Senate is responsible for matters of devolution. If any funds are mismanaged, there’s a clear mechanism for addressing those issues,” he said.
According to Kenya’s governance framework, the National Assembly is responsible for examining national expenses, while the Senate is tasked with protecting devolved interests and overseeing the functions of county governments. Additionally, audit institutions are mandated to review the utilization of public funds.
In a bid to engage the public, the Nairobi City County Assembly has initiated forums aimed at discussing the Cooperation Agreement with citizens. The Ad Hoc Committee is conducting hearings at Charter Hall, City Hall, and various sub-counties, as the dialogue continues regarding the future governance and financial sustenance of Nairobi.
As the Senate’s review progresses, stakeholders in the capital are keenly observing how this agreement could shape Nairobi’s financial landscape and governance framework in the coming years.
— Reported by Nexio News
