Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has sensationally accused powerful individuals within, and closely linked to, the national government of orchestrating a calculated scheme to wrest control of key functions of the Nairobi City County administration.
Speaking during an interview on NTV, Sakaja claimed that ongoing efforts to transfer critical county roles to national government agencies are not motivated by public interest, but by a desire to access and control the capital’s vast financial and strategic resources.
According to the governor, Nairobi remains Kenya’s economic heartbeat, generating billions of shillings annually through land rates, parking fees, business permits, and other levies.
He alleged that certain “well-connected figures” view the county as a lucrative opportunity and are leveraging political influence to undermine devolved authority.
“This is not about service delivery. It is about control,” Sakaja said, warning that attempts to claw back devolved functions threaten both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution.
Sakaja referenced Nairobi’s previous experience under the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), established during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
At the time, several key functions — including health services, transport, public works, and planning — were transferred from the county government to the national government.
