Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has rejected the formation of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA).

The Governor said that there was no deal between the county and national governments.

NAMATA was created last year by President Uhuru Kenyatta through an Executive Order under the enabling provisions of the State Corporations Act.

The authority was expected to cover the counties of Nairobi City, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Murang’a.

NAMATA Functions

According to the Act, NAMATA's core function is to provide a sustainable integrated public transport strategy based on the development of a sustainable urban mobility plan that will be the basis for the orderly and structured development of the proposed Metropolitan Area mass-transit system incorporating both the bus rapid-transit and commuter rail.

The move by Sonko is likely to strain the delicate relationship between City Hall and State House.

In January, the Nairobi County Boss accused individuals ‘close to State House’ of interfering with the running of affairs at City Hall.

Read Also: President Uhuru creates new Transport Authority for the city

State House "clique"

Sonko said the individuals might not be directly from the House on the Hill, but are within the system made up of a clique of people who opposed his governorship bid and had created the perception that he cannot deliver if elected.

“It is a story for another day. It is a very big story. There is interference, not directly from State House, but within the system. The interference is coming from the people who never thought I could be a governor,” Sonko said during an interview with a local radio station.