President Ruto Becomes First Sitting President to Address County Assembly
Nairobi, 9 April 2026
Kenya’s devolved governance reaches a historic milestone as President William Ruto addresses Nairobi County Assembly at 2:30pm today. This unprecedented presidential appearance before county legislators centres on an £80 billion cooperation agreement signed in February with Governor Johnson Sakaja. The partnership targets transformative urban projects including drainage systems to combat flooding, comprehensive waste management, street lighting improvements, and the ambitious Nairobi River regeneration programme. With heightened security around City Hall, the address represents strengthened collaboration between national and county governments in delivering Kenya’s most ambitious urban development agenda in decades.
Unprecedented Constitutional Milestone
The presidential address marks the first time in Kenya’s constitutional history that a sitting president has formally addressed a county assembly [1][3]. Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi extended the invitation to President Ruto on 18 February 2026, with the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei confirming the event would take place at 2:30pm at the Assembly Chambers, City Hall, Nairobi [3]. Security has been heightened in and around City Hall ahead of this groundbreaking constitutional moment [4], reflecting the unprecedented nature of direct presidential engagement with devolved governance structures.
The £80 Billion Urban Transformation Framework
President Ruto’s address centres on providing a comprehensive update on the implementation of the 80 billion shilling cooperation agreement signed in February between the national government and Nairobi County under Governor Johnson Sakaja [1][4]. The landmark partnership aims to accelerate major urban transformation projects across the capital, with officials indicating the initiatives are expected to be implemented over a 24-month period [1]. Under this agreement, 3.7 billion shillings has been allocated to complete 10,000 stalled street lights and install an additional 40,000 lights across the city, whilst the national government, through Kenya Power, will invest 1.5 billion shillings in transformers and last-mile electricity connections in informal settlements [4].
Infrastructure Projects and Urban Development Priorities
The cooperation framework encompasses several major infrastructure and environmental initiatives designed to address Nairobi’s most pressing urban challenges [1]. Key projects include the expansion and upgrading of drainage systems to curb recurring flooding in Nairobi, end-to-end solid waste management and recycling initiatives, and the ongoing Nairobi River regeneration programme [1]. President Ruto is expected to outline plans covering garbage collection, water supply, public works, infrastructure projects, affordable housing, and market construction, including the redevelopment of sections of Gikomba Market [3]. The framework also includes recarpeting and upgrading of major roads and highways, with plans to construct kilometres of tarmac roads in every ward [1][3].
Strengthening Devolved Governance and Political Context
Governor Sakaja, who chairs the implementation committee, recently led a delegation to State House to present a progress report on the projects [1]. The governor has characterised the invitation as demonstrating growing collaboration between the county government and the Kenya Kwanza administration, stating that it strengthens devolution and suggesting the president should extend similar engagement to other counties [3]. The presidential visit comes in the context of a failed impeachment attempt against Governor Sakaja by MCAs due to alleged poor development planning, with the president’s address viewed as an effort to consolidate support in Nairobi [3]. During the February signing ceremony, President Ruto dismissed claims that the national government was taking over county functions, stating: ‘There is no transfer of functions happening. For the avoidance of doubt, I have no interest in running the city of Nairobi, my hands are full’ [4].