President Ruto Delivers Landmark Address to Nairobi Assembly, Unveils Added Sh80 Billion Plan to Transform Capital into World-Class City

President William Ruto on April 9, 2026 delivered a historic address to the Nairobi County Assembly, unveiling an accelerated transformation agenda under a cooperation agreement with Governor Johnson Sakaja aimed at reshaping Nairobi into a modern, efficient, and globally competitive capital.

In his landmark speech—the first by a sitting President to the Assembly since devolution—Ruto emphasized that Nairobi, which contributes over 27.5% of Kenya’s GDP, requires joint national and county action to fix deep-rooted urban challenges. He described the pact as a “national correction” to unlock stalled development and improve service delivery.

At the core of the plan is the additional KSh 80 billion boost in county funding, which is expected to deliver major benefits to Nairobi residents. The investment will strengthen healthcare systems by upgrading hospitals, expanding emergency services, and improving access to medical care in densely populated and informal areas. It will also enhance water supply, sanitation systems, and drainage infrastructure to reduce shortages, flooding, and public health risks across the capital.

The funds will also accelerate urban infrastructure upgrades, including 247km of road construction, expansion of stormwater drainage networks, and installation and rehabilitation of over 100,000 streetlights within six months. This is expected to improve security, ease traffic flow, extend business hours, and boost Nairobi’s night-time economy.

Informal settlements such as Kibera, Mathare, Korogocho, and Kamukunji will benefit from expanded electricity access, improved housing through ongoing affordable housing projects, and upgraded waste management systems designed around recycling and reuse. Youth and small businesses are also expected to gain from expanded empowerment programmes and job creation initiatives.

Additional reforms include redevelopment of Gikomba Market into a modern trading hub, installation of a citywide CCTV surveillance system, and construction of modern sewer lines and treatment facilities to improve sanitation and public health.

President Ruto also warned against cartels, illegal construction, and encroachment on public land, saying enforcement would be applied without fear or favour—even to powerful institutions.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, while addressing the Assembly, welcomed the cooperation agreement, calling it a “historic turning point” for the capital. He said the partnership would eliminate bureaucratic delays and accelerate delivery of long-awaited projects.

Sakaja added that the plan would transform Nairobi into a “world-class city where services work, businesses thrive, and residents can finally feel the impact of government.” He emphasized that the focus was now on implementation, not politics, and urged leaders to support the reforms.

Together, both leaders said the KSh 80 billion boost and the wider reform agenda mark a decisive shift toward a cleaner, safer, better-planned, and economically stronger Nairobi, positioning the capital as a leading African city for investment, innovation, and opportunity.