Mudavadi calls for urgent delivery of Ksh80B Nairobi Rising Programme
By Faith Lagat, July 1, 2026Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called for the accelerated implementation of the Ksh80 billion Nairobi Rising Programme, saying timely delivery of projects is key to improving the lives of city residents.
Speaking after chairing the Third Joint Steering Committee (JSC) meeting on the implementation of the National Government–Nairobi City County Government Cooperation Agreement, Mudavadi said Nairobi’s transformation requires coordinated efforts by both levels of government.
“Nairobi’s transformation demands coordinated action, sustained commitment and the timely delivery of results that improve the lives of its residents,” Mudavadi said in a statement shared on X on July 1, 2026.
Focus on key infrastructure projects
The meeting reviewed progress on projects agreed upon during the previous Joint Steering Committee meeting.
According to Mudavadi, discussions focused on accelerating implementation in water and sanitation, roads and infrastructure, security, street lighting, markets, drainage and urban connectivity.
He said the projects are expected to improve mobility, public safety, sanitation, access to markets and the overall quality of life for Nairobi residents.
“As we begin a new financial year, I emphasized the need for urgency, accountability and a results-oriented approach to ensure that commitments are translated into visible progress on the ground,” he said.
The committee also agreed that the next meeting will be accompanied by a comprehensive Presidential Progress Report outlining completed projects, pending commitments and areas requiring further intervention.
Mudavadi noted that the Nairobi Rising Programme has an investment portfolio of Ksh80 billion aimed at modernising the capital city, strengthening its competitiveness, attracting investment and improving service delivery.
Assembly scrutiny continues
The Nairobi Rising Programme is being implemented under a cooperation agreement signed on February 18, 2026, between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government.
The agreement provides for joint implementation of projects in water and sewerage, roads, housing, transport, street lighting and waste management.
Its implementation, however, continues to attract scrutiny within the Nairobi County Assembly.
Members of the County Assembly have been conducting public participation on the agreement after concerns were raised over its legal framework and its implications for devolution.
Supporters of the agreement say it will accelerate development and improve service delivery in the capital.
Some leaders, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, have questioned aspects of the agreement, including the public participation process and the establishment of a 21-member ad hoc committee to review the document.
The committee was tasked with examining the agreement, collecting public views and assessing its implications for the county’s 2026/27 budget.
Programme targets city transformation
Under the agreement, an intergovernmental committee chaired by Mudavadi and deputised by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja oversees implementation, while a separate implementation committee led by the governor coordinates day-to-day execution.
The Nairobi County Assembly retains its oversight role over funds allocated to the programme.
As implementation continues, the National Government and Nairobi County say the programme is intended to improve infrastructure, strengthen public services and support long-term urban development through coordinated investment across the city.