Nairobi County has entered the new Financial Year amid growing uncertainty after a deepening standoff between Governor Johnson Sakaja and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) left the county without approval of a substantial budget.
The impasse has triggered concerns over the continuity of essential public services and the implementation of development projects across the capital.
MCAs declined to approve the budget before the end-of-June deadline, arguing that key concerns raised during deliberations had not been addressed. Ward representatives say major questions surrounding allocations and implementation remain unresolved.
The dispute has also exposed widening political and administrative tensions at City Hall, with leaders accusing Governor Sakaja’s administration of failing to engage the Assembly despite repeated calls for consultations.
According to several MCAs from both UDA and ODM, frustrations extend beyond the current budget cycle and reflect a longer-running dissatisfaction with county leadership and service delivery.
Ward representatives claim the governor has become disconnected from challenges affecting residents and cite persistent problems including uncollected garbage, a struggling sewerage system and delays in ward-level development projects.
They also accuse the county executive of failing to implement legislation, motions and bursary programmes previously approved by the Assembly.