Faith Odhiambo reacts to Sakaja’s denial over functions handover to national govt
By David Nthua, February 18, 2026The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, is not buying into the idea that what Governor Johnson Sakaja and President William Ruto signed is not a handover of county functions to the national government.
Speaking exclusively to a local TV station on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Odhiambo questioned the framing of the cooperation agreement, saying the substance may differ from the wording.
“Even the realisation that Nairobi County still collects the highest amount, the question is, is the county trying to say they are not able to sustainably run their functions, and hence they need the government’s support?” she posed.
“We might see in word they will say it is not NMS, but in action it could turn out to be,” she added.
Odhiambo warned that the agreement appears to tread a delicate constitutional path.
“It’s a thin line between cooperation and usurpation of the roles of the county government. I know they have tried to couch it that there is no transfer of functions because that would have required public participation, as well as the county assembly approving the same,” she said.
According to her, while the agreement may reference public participation, the absence of a clear mention of the county assembly raises questions.
“However, they may have alluded in this agreement that there would be public participation; however, there is no mention of the county assembly, and they have tried to be very clear that there is no transfer of functions,” she noted.
Sakaja defends the agreement
Governor Sakaja, however, maintained that the deal does not weaken devolution.
“Today, I joined the President H.E William Ruto to sign a historical cooperation agreement with the National Government, unlocking Ksh 80 Billion for the city,” he stated.
“The cooperation Agreement does not transfer county functions nor weaken devolution. Instead, in the true spirit of devolution, it is a lawful statutory collaboration expressly anchored on Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act,” he explained.
Sakaja said the agreement will support roads and housing infrastructure, modern waste management systems, improved water and sanitation services, street lighting and public safety.
“I remain committed to service delivery, the resolve to build a better city than we found it and to capture the aspirations of our people,” he added.
The debate now shifts to how the agreement will be implemented and whether its execution will match its stated intentions.