Economist David Ndii weighed in on the political discourse over Nairobi County leadership, weighing whether President William Samoei Ruto will take over the county from Governor Jonson Sakaja.
In a post on December 8, 2025, Ndii advised and emphasised the importance of constitutional processes.
“We are for constitutionalism. Let Nairobians deal with their problems. Vote wisely,” Ndii stated.
Additionally, he responded to questions on whether the national government might relocate its functions to ease pressure on public services.
“What is the possibility of relocating the capital or various Government functions elsewhere in the near future to alleviate pressures on public services or amenities?” asked @J_BrianKiplimo, a Kenyan citizen.
In his comments, Ndii clarified that there is no indication that President William Ruto will take over Nairobi County leadership from Governor Sakaja, leaving the matter to be decided by the electorate.
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“I don’t know. It’s not on our priorities. We have our hands full with many other things. You cannot solve all of a country’s challenges at one go,” Ndii noted.
How Kenyatta’s Government Took Over County Functions from Sonko to NMS
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration assumed control of key Nairobi County functions through the creation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) in early 2020.
This move was meant to address service delivery challenges amid allegations of corruption in Governor Mike Sonko’s administration.
On February 25, 2020, Governor Sonko signed a Deed of Transfer at State House, handing over health services, transport, public works, and planning and development to the national government under Article 187 of the Kenyan Constitution.
President Kenyatta and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa witnessed the signing.
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Sonko later claimed he had been coerced or influenced when agreeing to the transfer.
Establishment of NMS Leadership and Return of Control to County Government
On March 18, 2020, Kenyatta appointed Major General (Rtd) Mohamed Badi as Director-General of NMS, a national government entity responsible for managing the transferred functions.
On June 3, 2020, the President issued an executive order further consolidating NMS’s role, including the appointment of military officers to its leadership and strengthening oversight of Nairobi’s development.
NMS oversaw the transferred functions for approximately two years, until early 2022, after which control returned to the Nairobi County government under Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Governor Sonko was impeached and removed from office on December 18, 2020, amid continued disputes with the national government.
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