By Andrew Kariuki
Airbase Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) aspirant Abdiwahab Mohamed Nurow has criticised the recent cooperation framework between the Nairobi City County Government and the National Government, arguing that it undermines devolution and weakens the authority of the county government.
In a series of public statements, Nurow expressed concern over the decision to transfer key county functions to the national level, describing the move as one that diminishes the role of the Nairobi Governor.
He stated that shifting responsibilities such as transport, waste management and public lighting raises serious questions about accountability, capacity and the independence of county governments.
“By transferring key Nairobi County functions to the National Government barely a year to the election, Governor Johnson Sakaja has reduced the Office of the Governor to a ceremonial seat instead of a center of real leadership,” Nurow said.
The 2027 MCA aspirant for Airbase Ward further emphasised that devolution is a constitutional principle that must be safeguarded, warning that such arrangements risk reversing gains made in decentralising power and resources.
“When a county surrenders its core mandates, it raises serious questions about capacity, accountability and independence. Devolution was meant to empower counties, not return them to dependency,” he added.
Nurow maintained that while cooperation between different levels of government is important, it should not come at the expense of county autonomy.
He called for transparency and meaningful public participation in any agreements that affect the management of county functions.
“Cooperation with the national government on transport, waste management and public lighting should strengthen Nairobi, not weaken the county’s mandate. Transparency and public participation are not optional,” he stated.
He further questioned whether Nairobi City County remains capable of managing its own affairs if core functions are handled through agreements with the national government.
“If core county functions must now be handled through State House agreements, it leaves Nairobians asking whether City Hall is truly capable of driving its own agenda,” Nurow said.
The remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the implications of the cooperation agreement between the Nairobi County Government and the National Government, with critics raising concerns about its impact on devolution and governance in the capital.
Nurow concluded by reiterating his opposition to the move, stating, “Nairobi deserves leadership that defends its autonomy and delivers results, not one that shifts responsibility at a critical political hour.”
