President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto with members of the Nairobi City County Government when they called on him at State House, Nairobi/PSCU
Speaking during the meeting, Kenyatta said cooperation between the national and county governments was critical to country’s development.
On his part, the Nairobi governor commended the National Government for allocating huge resources to county governments.
“This demonstrates the genuine commitment to devolution by the government and the promise of its benefits to the people of Kenya,” he stated.
The meeting emphasized a collaborative approach between the national government and the county government on development and maintenance of roads.
During the meeting, it was also agreed that the Kenya Urban Roads Authority would continue to implement the existing programme of construction works including the completion of the missing links on Ngong Road through Otiende and Langata road.
“The Nairobi County agreed to work with Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) on new projects and capitalize on institutional strength built over time to benefit capacity building and skills transfer to the county,” a statement sent to newsroom indicated.
“The meeting discussed a comprehensive plan for renewal of targeted housing estates within the city including Maringo, Kaloleni, Shauri Moyo, Bahati, Mbotela, Makongeni, Gorofani/Bondeni, Starehe, Ofafa Kunguni and Ziwani.”
The estates current design is suitable for development of modern low cost housing with minimal disruption.
The meeting appreciated the government’s free maternity policy, and the positive impact it has on the safe child delivery.
It also underlined the need to modernise and enhance the capacity of the largest maternity hospital in Eastern Africa. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, priority was placed on constructing four new operating theatres, and upgrading the three existing facilities.
It was recognized that there are various on-going donor financed projects which required to be completed under existing credit agreements implemented at the county level.
In order to integrate the county involvement in the implementation of these programmes, it was also agreed that the framework within the Devolution Donor Sector Working Group would fast track the completion of the financing framework with due representation of county governments.
Other areas of agreement included collaboration in the development of integrated urban plans, solid waste management, light rail construction and joint identification of alternative cemetery land.
Technical committees comprising both national government ministries and representatives from the county executive committee were established to accelerate progress in implementation of the agreed items.
Deputy President William Ruto also attended the meeting as did Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru and other government officials.
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