The Sh80 billion Nairobi cooperation agreement was officially signed on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at State House, marking a historic collaboration between the National Government and the County Government of Nairobi. President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja spearheaded the landmark pact, which aims to overhaul the capital’s infrastructure, sanitation, and safety to position Nairobi as a “first-rank African metropolis.”
Strategic Project Timelines & Deadlines
A defining feature of the Sh80 billion Nairobi cooperation agreement is its aggressive implementation schedule. With Nairobi preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the following deadlines have been established:
| Sector | Project Milestone | Deadline / Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Security | Framework for Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit | Mid-April 2026 (60-day limit) |
| Roads (Phase 1) | Completion of existing KURA urban projects | Mid-April 2026 (2-month target) |
| Roads (Phase 2) | Launch of 59km road construction package | April 2026 |
| Roads (Phase 3) | Sh5 billion procurement cycle completion | FY 2025/2026 |
| Drainage | Emergency flood mitigation & de-silting | Immediate Activation |
| Governance | Activation of Joint Steering Committee | February 2026 |
1. Infrastructure and Drainage Overhaul
Under the Sh80 billion Nairobi cooperation agreement, a coordinated approach will tackle the city’s mobility and flooding crises.
- National Commitment: Sh8.7 billion dedicated to finishing urban road upgrades via the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).
- County Contribution: A Sh3.7 billion road rehabilitation program.
- Flood Mitigation: Sh1 billion is earmarked for immediate drainage improvements to end the perennial seasonal flooding that disrupts city commerce.
2. The New Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit
To bolster urban security and investor confidence, President Ruto utilized the Sh80 billion Nairobi cooperation agreement to direct the Ministry of Interior to establish a specialized Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit.
- The 60-Day Mandate: The Ministry must present the operational framework by mid-April 2026.
- Objective: This unit will integrate with county security teams to provide elite protection for residents and the city’s vast diplomatic and international community.
3. Water, Sanitation, and Waste Management
The Sh80 billion Nairobi cooperation agreement addresses the city’s environmental health through a massive Sh15 billion sanitation investment:
- Sewerage: Sh9 billion for 54km of trunk sewer lines along the Nairobi River and Sh6 billion for a new 60-million-liter daily capacity sewage plant.
- Modern Waste Systems: A Sh6 billion joint venture (Sh4bn County, Sh2bn National) to establish Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) on 100 acres of land and four modern transfer stations.
- Nairobi River: These projects directly support the ongoing Nairobi River Regeneration Programme.
4. Modernizing City Services
The pact allocates Sh3.7 billion for the “Light Up Nairobi” initiative, which involves installing 40,000 new solar streetlights and repairing 10,000 existing units. This is expected to significantly improve night-time safety while drastically reducing the county’s electricity bill.
Governance, Legal Framework, and Oversight
The Sh80 billion Nairobi cooperation agreement is legally anchored in Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act. Despite concerns from opposition leaders like Senator Edwin Sifuna regarding a potential national “takeover,” President Ruto emphasized that the pact respects the principles of devolution.
Oversight Structure:
- Joint Steering Committee: Chaired by Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi for high-level policy guidance.
- Implementation Committee: Chaired by Governor Sakaja to ensure day-to-day project delivery.
The committees have been tasked with immediate activation to ensure all infrastructure milestones are met within the 2025/2026 financial year.
