Kenya, 24 November 2025 - Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has disclosed that his administration inherited KSh 118 billion in outstanding bills when he took office, including KSh 16 billion from the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
Over the past three years, the county has managed to reduce this liability to KSh86 billion, representing a KSh 32 billion drop.
Speaking before the Senate Committee on Devolution on Monday, Sakaja addressed concerns over budget utilisation and stalled development projects during the 2022/2023 financial year.
“The county faced KSh 118 billion in pending bills when we assumed office. Today, that figure has dropped to KSh 86 billion,” he said, attributing the progress to reforms in revenue collection and management.
Sakaja highlighted that Nairobi has recorded its highest-ever own-source revenue, collecting KSh 13.8 billion this financial year, up from KSh 10.8 billion three years ago.
Key to this improvement was the digitisation of revenue platforms and the introduction of a unified business permit system, which streamlined payments and enhanced service delivery.
He also noted that NMS left Sh16 billion tied to unfinished projects, despite having received KSh 27 billion for development purposes during its tenure.
Governor Sakaja reported that over 140 projects under the Ward Development Fund, including roads, early childhood development centres, social halls, and sports facilities, have been completed across all 85 wards.
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Current major projects include upgrades at Woodley, Kihumbuini, and City Stadium.
On security, Sakaja said that progress on street lighting has been slowed by the current allocation of electricity levies.
Nairobi residents collectively pay KSh 8 billion annually in power bills, yet the city receives no dedicated portion for street lighting.
Talks are ongoing to redirect some of these funds towards lighting for safety.
The governor also raised concerns about the national roads funding model.
Nairobi County is responsible for about 70% of the country’s road network but receives only KSh3 billion out of the KSh 119 billion allocated nationally.
“If counties manage the bulk of the roads, they should receive a proportional share of the funding,” Sakaja argued, adding that ongoing KSh 2.1 billion road upgrades in collaboration with the national government are already producing visible improvements.

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