Who Really Controls Nairobi? MCAs Say They’ve Been Left Out

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Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) have revealed that they are yet to review or discuss the cooperation agreement signed at State House on Tuesday, a deal that will see the national government assisting in managing the city.

The agreement, which has been touted as a solution to Nairobi’s perennial governance and service delivery challenges, has yet to trickle down to the county assembly level, raising questions about how the partnership will be implemented.

Several MCAs expressed surprise at the deal, noting that they had not been briefed or consulted before the signing. We are yet to see the details of this agreement.

Without proper engagement, it is difficult for us to understand what our roles will be, one MCA said on condition of anonymity.

The State House agreement reportedly includes mechanisms for national oversight in areas such as city planning, revenue collection, and public service delivery.

While officials from the national government have hailed the deal as a step towards improved governance and efficiency, county lawmakers argue that ignoring local input could undermine the agreement’s success.

Political analysts say this is not the first time a State House initiative has caught county officials off guard.

“There’s always a risk when decisions are made at the national level without proper consultation with local representatives,” said Dr. Angela Wanjiku, a governance expert.

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“For this cooperation to work, the MCAs need to be fully involved and aligned with the process.”

Some MCAs also expressed concern over potential overlaps in authority between county and national governments.

With Nairobi already facing challenges like traffic congestion, waste management, and revenue shortfalls, they say clarity in roles is critical to avoid administrative confusion.

Meanwhile, Nairobi residents have reacted with mixed feelings. While some welcome any intervention aimed at improving the city’s management, others remain skeptical, wondering if the agreement will translate into tangible changes at the ground level.

The MCAs have called for an urgent briefing from State House and the Ministry of Interior to clarify the specifics of the cooperation, including the scope of national government involvement and the accountability mechanisms.

Without such engagement, they warn, the agreement risks being symbolic rather than transformative.

As the city awaits further details, the spotlight remains on how Nairobi’s leaders both county and national will navigate this unprecedented partnership to deliver results for its residents.