Pressure mounts on Sakaja over Nairobi's service failures
Nairobi
By
Mike Kihaki
| Apr 22, 2026
A fresh political storm is brewing in Nairobi after South Ward MCA Waithera Chege publicly urged President William Ruto to step in and fix what she described as glaring failures by Governor Johnson Sakaja, even as a multi-billion-shilling city transformation deal gets underway.
Speaking during the launch of a children’s heart disease programme in Nairobi South Ward, Chege painted a grim picture of the capital, citing uncollected garbage, deteriorating infrastructure and persistent water shortages as evidence of a county administration struggling to deliver.
“We elected leadership to serve all residents, but what we are seeing is selective development and stalled services. The President must now ensure that Nairobi works for everyone,” she said.
Her remarks come against the backdrop of a newly signed Sh 80 billion agreement between the national and county governments, a deal that effectively gives the national government a leading role in revitalising key services in the capital.
The High Court recently declined to suspend the implementation of the agreement, paving the way for its rollout.
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Chege, who also serves as the Nairobi County Deputy Minority Leader, welcomed the deal but warned against inequitable distribution of resources.
She urged the national government to ensure that all 85 wards benefit from the planned projects.
“This is a new dawn for Nairobi, but fairness must be at the centre of implementation. No ward should be left behind,” she said.
The agreement promises sweeping changes aimed at transforming Nairobi into a modern, efficient city.
Key projects include the installation of 50,000 street lights, major upgrades to sewer and water systems, expansion of electricity access, rehabilitation of roads and drainage networks, and improved waste management systems.
The plan also includes the establishment of a Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit to enhance security.
For years, Nairobi residents have complained about declining services, particularly in waste collection and water supply.
Rapid urbanisation has placed immense pressure on existing infrastructure, with informal settlements and underserved areas bearing the brunt of the challenges.
President Ruto, speaking at AGC church Karen on Sunday, defended the government’s intervention, saying Nairobi’s image is critical to Kenya’s global standing.
“The decision we have made as a government is that if we need to project the right image of Kenya, then it is here in Nairobi where it begins. If visitors get the wrong impression of Nairobi, they will get the wrong impression of Kenya,” said Ruto.
He outlined an ambitious roadmap to overhaul the city’s infrastructure, including the construction of 250 kilometres of tarmac roads, with 67 kilometres already under construction and another 70 kilometres set to begin soon.
“We are rolling out the lighting of the city 40,000 street lights across highways, estates and parks. We are also scaling up garbage collection from 40 trucks to 150, and eventually to 250, to ensure the city is clean,” he said.
The President expressed optimism that visible changes would be realised within months.
“It is my belief that by December this year, we will have a different city,” he added.
However, the move has sparked debate over the role of county governments and whether the national government’s intervention undermines devolution.
Critics argue that the arrangement could set a precedent for centralised control, while supporters say it is a necessary step to rescue a city that has struggled under local administration