Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has stated that he would rejected any agreement that would see county functions handed over to the national government.

Speaking in a morning interview on a local radio station, on Thursday, February 19, 2026, Sakaja explained that the deal in question, often described as a “transfer of functions,” does not meet the legal definition.

“I have not agreed and cannot sign any contract to hand over county functions.” Sakaja said.

He pushed back strongly against critics who have likened the agreement, signed on February 17, 2026, at State House between himself and representatives of the national government, to a backdoor surrender of authority, warning that he would never endorse anything resembling such a move.

Sakaja drew a clear line between the current pact and the controversial Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) arrangement during former Governor Mike Sonko’s tenure in 2020, which he described as a costly misadventure that left the county burdened with billions in pending bills.

“Number one, NMS was a transfer functions. Rais amesema sio transfer, mimi nasema sio transfer. A transfer of functions is based on article 197. Kwa hii mkataba kuna 187 imetajwa mahali?” he asked.

He added that transfers of functions create institutions, but for the likes of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), which critics often cite, was an independent institution.

“Number two, a transfer of functions create an institutional. Kuna institution ilitengenewa inaitwa NMS. Gani imetengenewa hapa? Hiyo ilikuwa institution imetengenezwa iko na directors, iko na board, iko na director general, inanunua magari yake, nini,” he said.

When asked if the contract allows the national government to collect taxes in Nairobi, Sakaja was clear:

“No. Sheria yetu, for the national government to take a function ya county government, lazima ufanye transfer of functions. Wakati huo ilikuwa KRA ilikuwa inachukua ushuru. Sijakubali na siezi kusign transfer of functions. Haiezi kuja tu kimabavu na ianze kuchukua hela kwa watu wa Nairobi.”

Sakaja also discussed the county’s budget and obligations, pointing out the challenges of running Nairobi with limited resources.

“Hizi ndizo hela niko nazo. Kuna sheria ambayo inaeza nipatia hela zaidi. Kama governor mzuri, nafaa nifuate, ama niipuzilie mbali, niseme wacha tungangane tu pole pole? This 50 billion project ya river ningechukua miaka ngapi kufanya? If my own budget is… Na hiyo budget iko na mishaara.”

“Let me tell you. Nairobi county, kwa ile equitable share tunapata Ksh1.7 billion kila mwezi. Kutoka hiyo 1.7, 1.5 peke yake ni mshaara. Kwa 19,000 staff, for 7 million people. Jiji kama Paris, iko na 2 million people, with 53,000 staff. Because all wanataka huduma. Hospitali Moja kama Mama Lucy peke yake, kuna wafanyi kazi 1,200. Tunahitaji mama Lucy ngapi Nairobi hii? Hospitali kama Margaret, need 1,500 staff.”

Sakaja emphasised that while national government involvement in certain functions exists, funding for Nairobi-specific services must remain with the city.

“So, kwa hii mkataba. Zile functions zimefuntions ambazo zimetajika kusaidia watu wa Nairobi ambazo ni national, zitattengenezwa bado na National Government. Lakini hela zaidi kwa zile za Nairobi itakuja kwa Jiji la Nairobi. Tunafaa ata tupatiwe cheti na trophy, because I vow to fight for Nairobi, and will fight for them,” he added.

On waste management, the governor highlighted inefficiencies under the current system and outlined a shared-cost plan.

“Kitu kama gabage collection haichukuliwi na serikali kuu. Right now we have agreed on a process that tutafanya mpaka recycle. unajua ubaya wa mambo ya garbage, ni kitu ambayo, it only costs you and it doesn’t bring income,” he said.

“So, we’ve agreed to share, so the cost for end to end, kusafisha jiji kila siku, malori, magari, vijana, mpaka 320 tricycles, is around 6 billion. For the 6 billion mimi nitalipa 4 billion, 2 billion naongezewa na serikali kuu. Nikatae? And you will see it happen.”

Sakaja has also stated that the agreement between Nairobi County and the national government is for 24 months but can be extended.

Murkomen defends Nairobi deal

Sakaja’s remarks come after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen defended the cooperation agreement between Nairobi County and the national government, dismissing critics as uninformed. Murkomen said the deal complies with the law and supports better governance.

“For those who are faulting Governor Sakaja and the county government, they have not read the law. I speak here as someone who helped draft the Urban Areas and Cities Act and the Intergovernmental Relations Act even before I became a senator,” Murkomen said during a press briefing in Nakuru on February 18.

Murkomen argued that the legislation recognises Nairobi’s unique status and allows for agreements between the national and county government.

“That is in black and white. The agreement is bolstered by Article 189 of the Constitution, which provides for intergovernmental relations and ensures that the two levels of government can complement each other to build the city,” he said.

Murkomen noted that the collaboration will enhance security, introducing the Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit (NMPU) with upgraded CCTV networks and AI systems to curb crime.

Despite assurances, the deal has drawn criticism. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino called it the biggest assault on devolution, while Senator Edwin Sifuna argued it revives issues from the defunct NMS model and undermines county oversight.

President William Ruto also defended the agreement during the signing on February 17.

“Let me repeat, there is no transfer of functions happening. I have no interest in running the city of Nairobi. The governor and his team must run the city of Nairobi.”