How Sakaja will spend Ruto's Sh80 billion investment package

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has now outlined a plan on how he intends to spend Sh80 billion under the pact signed with President William Ruto.

Sakaja on Tuesday said the Sh80 billion investment package, unlocked through the agreement between the county and national governments, targets critical infrastructure gaps that have long hindered the capital's growth.

This comes a day after the governor chaired the first implementation committee meeting under the cooperation agreement, setting the stage for the operationalisation of a multi-billion-shilling development programme aimed at transforming the city.

According to the governor, the largest share of the funding, about Sh33 billion, will go towards sewerage and sanitation infrastructure, a sector considered key to cleaning up Nairobi’s rivers and expanding access to sanitation services.

“The investment will fund the construction of two parallel 27-kilometre trunk sewer lines along the Nairobi River corridor, a new sewer treatment plant capable of processing 60,000 cubic litres of wastewater daily, and expanded last-mile sewer connections to households,” said Sakaja.

He said an additional Sh15 billion has been earmarked for long-term sewer expansion across the city.

This, the governor said, will also help address drainage challenges and bring visible change.

Speaking in a TV interview on Sunday, Sakaja said the county needs about Sh25 billion to undertake a massive overhaul of its drainage system.

Sakaja has been in the spot following Friday’s floods that wreaked havoc, killing over 28 people and leaving a trail of destruction.

Urban planning experts blamed poor leadership, planning failures and corruption as the key drivers of the perennial flooding crisis in Nairobi.

The experts maintain that the destruction witnessed on Friday was not just the result of extreme weather but also a sign of years of weak governance. 

“Nairobi is not lacking in technical skills at all. I think we have a perennial leadership problem. Nairobi’s problem has always been its governance,” said urban planning expert Patrick Adolwa.

According to Adolwa, the city already has several development strategies and plans meant to guide its growth. But leaders have repeatedly failed to implement them.

As a result, Sakaja has come under intense pressure to take responsibility for what is now being described as the inability of the city government to handle one of the worst flood disasters in the capital’s recent history.

As the death toll climbed over the weekend, the embattled governor went on the defensive, insisting he would not resign and blaming the crisis on factors beyond his control.

He said Sh8.7 billion will be invested in roads, bridges, and drainage systems to improve mobility and address flooding challenges that have affected several parts of the city during heavy rains.

Part of the allocation includes Sh2 billion to fast-track the completion of roads under the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.

“Energy and lighting infrastructure will receive Sh8.5 billion, including Sh3.7 billion for the installation of 50,000 new street lights across Nairobi, a move expected to enhance security and extend economic activity at night,” read part of a document seen by The Standard.

Sakaja said that under the deal, Sh1.5 billion is set aside for transformers and last-mile electricity connections to reduce the cost of power for low-income households, and Sh3.3 billion for prepaid metering, transformers, and lighting in informal settlements.

In the water sector, some Sh5.1 billion will be invested to address chronic supply shortages.

The funding will support upgrades at the Ng’ethu Water Treatment Plant and the development of the Gigiri–Shauri Moyo water evacuation corridor, thereby improving water distribution across the city.

Sakaja said solid waste management will also receive a boost through a Sh6 billion package, combining Sh2 billion from the national government and Sh4 billion from Nairobi County to strengthen waste collection and disposal systems.

The agreement also includes institutional reforms to enhance security in the capital, including the establishment of a Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit, which is expected to be operational within 60 days.

For Sakaja, the deal is expected to accelerate implementation of the Nairobi Rising agenda, positioning the city for improved service delivery, modern infrastructure and stronger economic growth.