“I have no interest in running Nairobi”— Ruto

President William Ruto has dismissed claims that the National Government is taking over Nairobi County functions, clarifying that the agreement signed at State House is purely collaborative and focused on accelerating service delivery in the capital.

Speaking on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, during the signing ceremony between Nairobi County and the National Government, Ruto stressed that the arrangement does not amount to a transfer of devolved powers.

“What we are formalizing today is not a transfer of functions. Let me repeat—there is no transfer of functions taking place,” the President said.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I have no interest in running the city; my hands are already full. The governor and his team must continue to run the city. However, as president, I have an obligation to support and assist the capital city,” he added.

The agreement was signed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on behalf of the National Government, while Johnson Sakaja signed for Nairobi County.

Ksh 3.7 billion for street lighting

Ruto announced that the government will invest Ksh 3.7 billion to modernize and expand street lighting infrastructure across Nairobi, noting that only 30 percent of the city’s 70,000 lighting points are currently functional.

“Nairobi has about 70,000 lighting points, but only about 30 percent are fully operational today. A city of Nairobi’s stature must be fully lit and functional. To address this, we are committing Ksh 3.7 billion towards street lighting modernization and expansion,” he said.

The project is expected to improve security and stimulate economic activity within the city.

Ksh 15 billion for sewer upgrade

Under the Nairobi River regeneration programme, the President revealed that Ksh 9 billion has been allocated to construct two parallel 27-kilometre trunk sewer lines along the Nairobi River corridor.

An additional Ksh 6 billion will go towards building a new sewer treatment plant with a capacity of 60,000 cubic litres, projected to serve the city for at least 40 years.

“On sanitation, we are committing 9 billion to build two parallel 27-kilometre trunk sewer networks along the Nairobi River corridor and 6 billion for a new sewer treatment plant that will treat 60,000 cubic litres, securing capacity for at least the next 40 years,” Ruto stated.

The investment aims to address persistent sanitation challenges while restoring the Nairobi River ecosystem.

Dedicated metropolitan police unit

On security, Ruto directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to develop and present within 60 days a framework for establishing a specialized Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit.

“Security is non-negotiable, especially for a modern capital city like Nairobi. I therefore direct the CS Interior to prepare and present within 60 days a framework for a dedicated Nairobi metropolitan police unit to work hand in hand with Nairobi County security. We will, and we must, make Nairobi safe,” he said.

Markets and new airport plan

Revisiting campaign pledges made alongside Governor Sakaja, the President said the two levels of government will jointly construct 20 modern markets—12 funded by the National Government and eight by Nairobi County.

“When we were campaigning, Sakaja and I promised to build 20 modern markets in the city of Nairobi. The national government is going to build 12, the county government is going to build eight,” he said.

Ruto also announced plans to build a modern market in Gikomba and revealed that construction of a new airport in Nairobi will begin in the coming months.

“We will roll out in a couple of months the construction of a new airport in Nairobi. We must raise our ambition. We cannot continue to make peace with mediocrity; it is unacceptable,” the President stated.