Ruto’s historic City Hall address tomorrow faces MCA showdown
By Adieri Mulaa
Standoff by Members of the Nairobi County Assembly Members (MCAs) and assembly staff members over delayed March salaries is likely to overshadow President William Ruto’s inaugural State of County Address at the Nairobi City County Assembly tomorrow Thursday, April 9, 2026, The Informer Media Group has established.
It will be the first State of County Address to a county legislature by a Head of State, since the inception of devolved government in 2013, following promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
The MCAs and assembly staff members who spoke to us on condition of anonymity confided that they will seek assurances that their dues are settled immediately and that thie April perks will not delay as good.
The House plenary session will be presided over by the Speaker of Nairobi City County Assembly, Kennedy Okeyo Ng’ondi, on Thursday afternoon.
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja chaired a joint coordination meeting comprising Speaker Ng’ondi, Nairobi region county commissioner, national government administration officials, the regional police command, the head of government reception and State House protocol in preparation.
Earlier, Speaker Ng’ondi confirmed about the scheduled visit to City Hall by President Ruto and State of County Address.
”A State of County Address by the President will on Thursday”, he said in a brief statement.
The House resumed business on Tuesday, April 7 from a one month recess according to the Assembly calendar.
The county assembly standing orders allow the president to address the House as Head of State.
Standing Order 28 (1) states that “the Speaker may, in consultation with the Leader of Majority party and Leader of Minority party, allow the Senator of the County or visiting Governor or such other visiting dignitary, to address the County Assembly on such occasions as may be appropriate”.
Further, Standing Order 28 (2) states that Standing Order 26 on (Governor entering or leaving Chamber) and paragraphs (1), (3) and (4) of Standing Order 27 on (Governor’s address to County Assembly) shall, with necessary modifications, apply to the Senator, visiting Heads of State and such other dignitaries.
The unprecedented address to the county assembly plenary session by Kenya’s Head of State will mark a historic event in the county Assemblies, hence recording a great milestone in devolved government.
President Ruto had initially scheduled to visit Nairobi City County Assembly on February 5, 2025, to officially open the County Assembly and make a State of County Address.
However, the plan aborted without explanation, even after Speaker Ng’ondi had made official communication to the plenary.
This will be the first such address by the Head of State to a county assembly in the country’s history under devolved government.
Nairobi County Assembly is the largest among the 47 county government legislatures, with 85 Wards. It has 123 Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Among them, 85 are elected representatives in the Wards, while 38 are special elect, nominated by their respective political parties represented in the House.
President Ruto’s ruling Kenya Kwanza Coalition is the minority party in the Assembly, where Azimio Coalition headed Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga is the majority party.
The president’s visit sets a precedence that will inform grey areas in standing orders, rules and procedures as well as protocols in the 47 county Assemblies.
Ordinarily, governors make state of county address at special sittings of their respective county assemblies.
Leaders in Nairobi City County Assembly hailed the president’s scheduled visit and his State of County Address as a milestone in devolution.
”It is a big milestone for Nairobi City County Assembly and the country at large. It is the first time a sitting president does that and we look forward to it”, said the Leader of Minority and Waithaka Ward MCA, Anthony Kiragu.
The Leader of Majority and Makongeni MCA Jateso Peter Imwatok described President Ruto’s scheduled visit as a good progressive move aimed at enhancing devolution.
In his speech, the president is expected to touch on the milestones attained in the devolved system of government since the inception in 2013.
He could indicate where the country is headed in terms of service delivery by the county governments, under his stewardship as president.
Recently, the National Government signed a partnership agreement with Nairobi City County Government, in which the latter will administer the provision of keys services at City Hall.
On the president’s menu also, could be the challenges governors encounter, which require urgent consideration through inter-governmental approach.
Most of the issues county governor’s grapple with fall under the purview of Inter-governmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
In Nairobi City County Government, the Head of State is expected to cite a myriad of begging services that befit a capital city that is also the seat of the national government.
Nairobi hosts the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and several foreign missions, including high commissions and embassies. It is strategically placed, both as a regional commercial hub and networking location.
The president has his pet project of cleaning up Nairobi Rivers through the Nairobi Rivers Commission, which he formed to restore the murky Nairobi River and other rivers in the basin to give them value.
Above all, it cannot be ruled out that president Ruto, being a charismatic politician he is, will seize the golden opportunity to speak to the hearts of the MCAs, as the grassroots leaders in Nairobi region, which a huge vote bloc, looking at 2027 General Election.
