Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has drawn a line in the sand, issuing a vehement denial against reports that he has surrendered key county functions to President William Ruto’s national government.

In a political climate rife with speculation, Sakaja’s rebuttal is not just a clarification; it is a defense of devolution itself. The Governor has categorised the reports as "fake news," insisting that his administration retains full control over the capital’s garbage collection, water supply, and public works. The ghost of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS)—the controversial entity that ran the city under the previous regime—looms large, and Sakaja is fighting to ensure his tenure is not defined by a similar surrender of power.

The Partnership vs. Takeover Debate

The controversy ignited after President Ruto announced a "partnership" to clean up Nairobi, citing the city's deteriorating cleanliness. Critics, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, immediately flagged this as a constitutional Trojan horse. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-5)Sifuna argues that any transfer of functions requires a Deed of Transfer approved by the County Assembly—a document he says does not exist. "Constitutionally, there has to be a deed... I have seen neither," Sifuna noted, effectively accusing the Governor of a backroom deal.

Sakaja’s counter-narrative is one of "structured collaboration" rather than capitulation. He acknowledges the city’s filth but frames the national government's involvement as logistical support for waste-to-energy projects and infrastructure, rather than a management takeover. "Absolutely not! There are no functions that are going to be transferred," Sakaja told the press, referencing the Ksh 16 billion in pending bills left behind by the NMS as a cautionary tale of why a takeover is off the table.

• The NMS Trauma: The Governor’s defense relies heavily on the public’s memory of the NMS era, which, despite some visible projects, left a legacy of debt and incomplete health facilities. Sakaja is betting that Nairobians want a Governor who governs, not one who delegates to the State House.
• The Sifuna Factor: The verbal sparring with Senator Sifuna highlights the perennial friction between the Senate and the Council of Governors. Sifuna represents the oversight authority that Sakaja cannot ignore, making this a legal battle as much as a political one.

A Test of Authority

This standoff is a critical test of Sakaja’s political spine. By accepting federal help while rejecting federal control, he is attempting to eat his cake and have it too. The hiring of 4,000 youths to manage waste is his tangible proof of county-led action, a move designed to show that City Hall is capable of cleaning its own backyard.

As the garbage piles up and political rhetoric heats up, the residents of Nairobi are left watching a power struggle that will determine who is truly accountable for their city. If the "partnership" fails to deliver a cleaner city, Sakaja will bear the blame alone; if it succeeds, he must ensure it doesn't come at the cost of his constitutional mandate.