Sonko Surrenders Duties to National Govt at State House

UPDATE: A Nairobi voter, Robbin Karani moved to court on Wednesday, February 26, seeking orders to bar transfer of some Nairobi County government functions to the national government.

The Nairobian argues that Sonko is not authorized to transfer the functions of Nairobi county

The move came a day after Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa in concurrence with President Uhuru Kenyatta signed an agreement in which functions of the Nairobi County Government were handed to the National Government.

In a statement sent to newsrooms on February 25 by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, stated that the handing over was done in pursuant to Article 187 of the Constitution. 

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Kenneth Lusaka and Attorney General, Paul Kihara.  

Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko signing the agreement at State House on Tuesday, February 25.

PSCU

The government will, henceforth, take over the functions of the Nairobi County Government including;

i) County Health services

ii) County Transport services

iii) County Public Works, Utilities and Ancillary services

iv) County Government Planning and Development 

The hand over will ensure Nairobi residents receive services efficiently. 
 
The move comes as a breakthrough in the running of county services that had ground to a halt.

Article 187 of the Constitution below.

A function or power of government at one level may be transferred to a government at the other level by agreement between the governments if;

(a) The function or power would be more effectively performed or exercised by the receiving government; and

(b) The transfer of the function or power is not prohibited by the legislation under which it is to be performed or exercised.

(2) If a function or power is transferred from a government at one level to a government at the other level;

(a) Arrangements shall be put in place to ensure that the resources necessary for the performance of the function or exercise of the power are transferred; and

(b) Constitutional responsibility for the performance of the function or exercise of the power shall remain with the government to which it is assigned by the Fourth Schedule.

Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa shake hands after the signing of the agreement in which functions of the Nairobi County Government were handed to the National Government on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at State House.

PSCU