Former Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu has strongly rebuffed allegations that the recent cooperation agreement between President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja equates to a surrender of county functions, drawing a sharp distinction between current collaborative efforts and the highly controversial Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) era.

The political corridors of City Hall are reverberating with renewed intensity as former Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu steps into the spotlight to defend her successor. At the heart of the storm is a contentious cooperation pact between the national executive and the county administration, which critics argue is a stealthy usurpation of devolved powers.

This debate matters now more than ever because Nairobi, Kenya's beating economic heart, is still reeling from the financial and administrative hangovers of the previous regime. The discourse touches on the very soul of devolution, questioning whether the capital can effectively partner with the national government without sacrificing its constitutional autonomy and risking another multi-billion shilling debt black hole.

The Ghost of the NMS Era

To understand the current anxiety, one must look back at the unprecedented establishment of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services in 2020. Under Article 187 of the Constitution, four core county functions—health, transport, planning, and public works—were formally transferred to the national government. Kananu, who inherited the aftermath of this transition, vividly recalls the sweeping nature of the NMS takeover.

During that period, operational control shifted entirely. Staff were seconded to the national agency, vital revenue streams like parking fees were hijacked by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and a massive chunk of the county budget was redirected. The result was a staggering legacy of debt. Governor Sakaja recently revealed that in just two years, the NMS left behind a pending bill of KES 16 billion (approx. $110 million), despite receiving massive appropriations from both the County and National Assemblies. Unpaid contractors and stalled projects became the enduring monuments of this experiment.

A Paradigm of Collaboration, Not Surrender

Kananu and Sakaja both insist that the current framework is fundamentally different. Anchored in Articles 6(2) and 189 of the Constitution, the new agreement emphasizes consultation and intergovernmental cooperation rather than a wholesale transfer of power. Sakaja has been categorical, stating that he swore fidelity to the Constitution and the mandate given to him by Nairobians, vowing that no functions will be ceded under his watch.

Instead of losing powers, the county claims to be expanding its reach through synergistic projects. The much-touted "Dishi na County" school feeding program is a prime example. Initially a national government mandate under the Ministry of Education, it is now being driven by the county through an intergovernmental agreement, demonstrating a reverse flow of responsibility that benefits local residents directly.

Navigating Capital City Complexities

Governing Nairobi is a unique tightrope walk. As a diplomatic hub and the seat of the national government, the city's infrastructure, security, and urban management inherently overlap with national interests. The Urban Areas and Cities Act explicitly provides for such collaboration.

• Waste Management: Joint efforts are underway to overhaul garbage collection through the Green Nairobi Company Limited.
• Infrastructure: National agencies are assisting with lighting and road maintenance to meet capital city standards.
• Manpower Deficits: The county is leveraging national resources to fill critical staffing gaps, noting that environmental staff were last comprehensively hired in 1987.

Despite these collaborative frameworks, political undertones persist. Sakaja has hinted that those pushing the narrative of a hostile takeover are political detractors strategically positioning themselves for the 2027 gubernatorial race. As Nairobi continues to evolve, the delicate balance between necessary national support and fierce county independence will remain the ultimate test of leadership.

"Usione simba akanyeshewa mkadhani ni paka," Sakaja retorted recently, warning his critics not to mistake his collaborative approach for weakness.