President Ruto to Address Nairobi County Assembly in Historic First

President William Ruto is scheduled to address the Nairobi County Assembly on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in a historic first since the introduction of devolution.

The address follows the signing of a Ksh80 billion cooperation agreement between the national government and Nairobi County, aimed at transforming the city’s infrastructure and public services.

The deal, finalized in February under Governor Johnson Sakaja, outlines several major development initiatives. Among them are improved drainage systems to prevent recurring floods, comprehensive waste management and recycling programs, better street lighting across residential areas, resurfacing of key roads and highways, and the ongoing regeneration of the Nairobi River.

President Ruto’s Chief of Staff, Felix Koskei, confirmed the schedule in a letter to Assembly Speaker Ken Ngondi, noting that the president will provide a detailed update on the progress of these projects.

“The event has been programmed for 9th April, 2026, at 2:30 pm at the Assembly Chambers, City Hall, Nairobi,” the letter stated.

Governor Sakaja, who chairs the implementation committee for the agreement, previously presented a progress report to State House, highlighting the status of the initiatives.

The collaboration between the national and county governments is viewed as a key step toward accelerating Nairobi’s urban transformation.

The upcoming address is notable as no sitting president has formally addressed a county assembly in Kenya since devolution began 16 years ago.

Nairobi MCAs are preparing to follow new protocols to accommodate the historic nature of the visit, in line with constitutional and statutory requirements that govern executive addresses to county assemblies.

This is a first for any county assembly in the country, and we welcome it positively. It reinforces that devolution is alive and working. We are honoured to host the President, said County Assembly Clerk Edward Gichana.

The address is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of the Ksh80 billion deal, showcasing the progress made so far and outlining plans for completing the projects within the next 24 months.

The event highlights the growing cooperation between the national and county governments and signals a renewed focus on improving Nairobi’s infrastructure and services for residents.

BY EMMANUEL KYENGO