Babu Owino slams Ruto-Sakaja deal as ‘hostile takeover’ of Nairobi

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has sharply criticised the agreement signed between President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, terming it a “hostile takeover” of county functions and an assault on devolution.

Speaking during a press conference at the Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, the outspoken MP accused the national government of illegally taking over key county responsibilities and sidelining the public in the process.

“Today I want to comment on the hostile takeover of certain key functions of the county government of Nairobi, which were transferred to the national government. This process was illegally done,” Owino said.

The 2027 Nairobi gubernatorial hopeful questioned the decision to conduct public participation after the agreement had already been signed, describing the move as unconstitutional and rushed.

“We’re being informed that public participation is supposed to be done after the signing of this agreement. This is completely unconstitutional, and I don’t see the need as to why the national government should move in a hurry to kill the spirit of devolution within Nairobi County,” he added.

The lawmaker also took direct aim at Governor Sakaja, accusing him of betraying the mandate given to him by city residents.

“The Governor, in his wisdom or lack of the same, agreed to transfer responsibilities which were bestowed on him by Nairobians. Nairobians trusted the wrong person,” Owino said, adding that both levels of government were incapable of delivering services.

“An Incompetent body has taken over another incompetent body; this is a race of two pygmies competing on who is taller than the other,” he said, warning that transferring functions such as roads, water, street lighting and garbage collection would only create “new corruption.”

Owino further demanded accountability over Nairobi’s own source revenue, alleging that the county government had little control over the system and claimed that he would table a dossier on the matter.

His remarks come a day after President Ruto and Governor Sakaja signed a cooperation agreement allowing the national government to step in and jointly support service delivery in the capital.

Under the deal, the national government will inject an additional Ksh.80 billion into Nairobi City County to strengthen county functions and improve services.

A joint steering committee chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will oversee implementation in four key sectors: housing, roads, water provision and waste management.

Both Ruto and Sakaja have denied that the agreement amounts to a transfer of functions, insisting it is a collaboration permitted under the Constitution. However, opposition to the deal appears to be gathering momentum.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna separately addressed the press earlier on Wednesday, citing legal breaches in the agreement and saying his office had not been consulted.

He called for the deal to be halted pending proper legal and public processes, noting that the 14-day window for public participation is a very brief period and a mere disrespect to Nairobians.

"The agreement in Clause 6.2 infact anticipates the outcome of the proposed public participation, limiting it to amendments and forgetting that the people in their righteous might have the option of rejecting the whole arrangement in toto," said Sifuna.

"Of the 12 members of the committee, a whopping two-thirds are appointees of the national government. From its structure, the Governor will be subservient to the Prime Cabinet Secretary, making Sakaja the new Deputy Governor for all intents and purposes."

The agreement is expected to take effect after undergoing public participation through the Nairobi County Assembly, though critics argue that signing first and consulting later undermines the process.