President William Ruto has laid out an ambitious four-pillar strategy aimed at transforming Nairobi into a modern, world-class capital city, drawing inspiration from what he described as a “Singapore-style” development model.
The President said Nairobi is central to Kenya’s overall transformation agenda and should serve as a benchmark for development across all counties. He was speaking during a church service in Embakasi, Nairobi, where he revealed that he has been engaging Governor Johnson Sakaja and county leadership to rally support for the plan.
According to President Ruto, Kenya’s journey toward becoming a first-world nation must begin with its capital city. He pledged full backing from the national government to ensure Nairobi’s transformation, noting that he is prepared to go to great lengths to support the county administration.
The first pillar of the plan focuses on improving mobility by making Nairobi fully motorable. Ruto said easing traffic congestion and improving pedestrian movement are key priorities. He directed all Members of County Assembly (MCAs) to identify at least one critical road in their wards for upgrading, assuring them that the national government will provide the necessary resources.
On cleanliness, the President said efforts to restore Nairobi’s image are already underway, with plans to intensify garbage collection and eliminate illegal dumpsites. He lamented the persistent waste management challenges that have left parts of the city dirty and congested with refuse.
To address the long-standing problem, Ruto announced that additional national government funding will support the county’s clean-up drive. He said the Dandora dumpsite will gradually be decommissioned, with a modern waste treatment facility set to be established in Ruai. The plant will process waste into useful by-products such as fertilizer and energy, with operations expected to begin next year.
Water supply forms the third pillar of the agenda. The President acknowledged the chronic water shortages affecting many neighborhoods and said the proposed Maragua IV Dam will play a critical role in boosting supply to the city. He noted that existing projects, including the Northern Collector Tunnel, have already increased water volumes, and Maragua IV will further stabilize supply once completed.
The dam, estimated to cost about Ksh.45 billion, is currently at the planning and financing stage. It falls under the government’s broader plan to construct 50 mega dams, 200 medium-sized dams, and thousands of smaller ones nationwide to improve water security and irrigation, with a projected total investment of Ksh.1.5 trillion.
The final pillar targets street lighting and public safety. President Ruto emphasized that a well-lit city is essential for reducing crime, warning that individuals involved in vandalizing lighting infrastructure will face legal consequences.
He dismissed claims that the Nairobi projects are politically motivated ahead of the 2027 General Election, insisting the agenda is designed to secure long-term national progress.
Overall, the President revealed that his administration plans to roll out development projects worth up to Ksh.5 trillion over the next decade. Funding will be channeled through the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF) and the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), which are intended to mobilize private capital, reduce reliance on debt and taxation, and ensure sustainable investment of national resources for future generations.
