Governor Johnson Sakaja stood before the Nairobi Assembly today with the bearing of a man drawing a line in the sand. In a State of the County Address that was equal parts defense and defiance, the City boss categorically ruled out any transfer of county functions to the National Government, effectively killing rumors of a "NMS 2.0".

Speculation had been rife following Sakaja's recent high-profile meetings with President William Ruto. Critics whispered that a deal was being cut to hand key services back to the state, mirroring the controversial Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) era. Sakaja crushed those rumors with a single word: "Misadventure."

No Surrender

"I will not betray the mandate given to me by the people of Nairobi," Sakaja thundered. He described the previous NMS regime as a costly experiment that demoralized staff and left the county saddled with billions in pending bills. His message was clear: collaboration, yes; subjugation, never.

This stance is a delicate balancing act. Sakaja needs the President's support to fix Nairobi's perennial water and garbage crises, but he cannot afford to look like a puppet. By framing cooperation as a partnership rather than a takeover, he is trying to have his cake and eat it too.

• The Legacy: Sakaja slammed the NMS era for leaving a Ksh 16 billion debt hole and confusing the chain of command.
• The Strategy: He promised structured partnerships with the National Government on specific projects, not a wholesale transfer of power.
• The Politics: The move asserts his authority as the unrivaled CEO of Nairobi, fending off critics who see him as too cozy with the state.

The Battle for Control

Nairobi is the jewel in Kenya's crown, generating 60% of the GDP. Control over its planning, transport, and revenue is the ultimate prize. Sakaja's refusal to cede ground is a bold assertion of devolution's sanctity.

But words are cheap. The Governor now has to deliver. With the NMS ghost exorcised, there are no more excuses. The garbage must be collected, the taps must run, and the traffic must move. Sakaja has claimed the power; now he must prove he can wield it.