NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 25 — Five months after President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja signed a cooperation agreement unlocking an additional Sh80 billion for the capital’s development, the partnership has begun translating into visible infrastructure projects across the city, even as some of its most ambitious promises remain works in progress. Signed at State House on February 17 under Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, the agreement sought to deepen collaboration between the National and Nairobi County governments in delivering priority projects, while preserving the county’s constitutional mandate. At the time, the pact triggered political debate, with critics warning it could mirror the controversial transfer of county functions to the National Government during former Governor Mike Sonko’s administration.
Five months later, however, Sakaja has remained in charge of county operations, while implementation of several flagship projects has accelerated through joint financing and coordination. Perhaps the most visible evidence of the partnership is the extensive road and drainage works underway across Nairobi. Major corridors including Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way are undergoing reconstruction featuring expanded storm-water drainage, modern pedestrian walkways and landscaped boulevards designed to improve mobility while reducing perennial flooding.
Within the Central Business District, ageing pavements are being replaced with interlocking cabro blocks along Mama Ngina Street, Kaunda Street, Standard Street and sections of Moi Avenue, creating safer and more accessible pedestrian spaces. The cooperation agreement targets the construction and rehabilitation of more than 300 kilometres of roads across Nairobi’s 85 wards. According to Governor Sakaja, more than 160 kilometres have already been completed or substantially rehabilitated, including the reconstruction of Wood Avenue in Kilimani, improvements in several residential estates and completion of the Ngong Road–Naivasha Road Flyover, while works continue on Kasuku Road, Jabavu Road, Timau Road and Amboseli Road.
Unlike previous road programmes, drainage expansion is being undertaken simultaneously to protect the new infrastructure from flood damage. The drainage works come as Nairobi steps up preparations ahead of forecasts of possible El Niño rains later this year…
Summary from source