Ruto arrives at City Hall for State of the County address
By Mabonga Makhanu, April 9, 2026President William Ruto has arrived at City Hall for the State of the County address.
He was accompanied by the Nairobi County Governor, together with the House leadership, led by the Speaker of the Assembly.
This makes history since, under the current Constitution since 2010, there has been no situation where the President has addressed a county assembly, as the President is only limited to addressing a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate on the third Thursday of every year.
The president, who was from a function at KICC, walked across the road and entered City Hall, where he was warmly welcomed with ululations and cheers from the ward representatives as he marched to his designated seating area.
The special sitting follows a formal invitation from the assembly back in February, and all eyes are on how the president will unpack the fresh Ksh80 billion cooperation deal signed between the national government and Nairobi County.
“This is the first time it is happening, and we are setting the pace. As a county assembly, we are taking this in a positive light. It affirms that devolution is continuing. We are grateful and honoured to host the President.” – Nairobi County Assembly Clerk’s invitation to the president
MCAs, Governor Johnson Sakaja, and other leaders are gearing up for what many see as a direct blueprint for fixing the capital’s long-standing challenges, such as floods, garbage piles, broken roads, and the polluted Nairobi River.
Expectations of Ruto’s speech
In the speech, Ruto is widely expected to provide a detailed update on how the billions will be allocated over the next couple of years, with a focus on achieving quick wins in drainage works, waste management, street lighting, housing upgrades, and security enhancements.
He is likely to emphasise the need for seamless teamwork between national and county teams, warning against politics derailing delivery and reminding everyone that a working Nairobi lifts the entire country.
The address will probably outline timelines for visible changes that ordinary residents can feel—less traffic, cleaner streets, and better services—while calling on MCAs to support full implementation without delays.