The Nairobi River Commission has embarked on a regeneration project along the basin.
Commission CEO Brigadier Joseph Muracia on Tuesday told the Star that a lot of ground has been covered.
“We are currently doing a regeneration project. We have started widening the river near Dandora,” Muracia said, adding that the contractor is already on site.
In Kamukunji, Muracia said the contractor has done fencing.
He said a football pitch is also taking shape and a community hall is also coming up in the area.
“We have done landscaping of the river as well as widening it. The machines have already been deployed to the site.”
The commission is seeking to transform the riparian zones into the city’s front yard so the communities living along the river basin can live in dignity.
The commission on Tuesday held a meeting to review the programme of work.
Muracia said once the programme of work has been reviewed, work will start in many sections so that there are concurrent activities.
To curb dumping of solid waste along the basin, Muracia said there are people who keep monitoring culprits.
The government recently ordered the demolition of structures around the Nairobi River Basin.
The state said buildings and structures within the 30-metre riparian corridor are prohibited by law as they clog the rivers and expose dwellers on riparian reserves to grave danger of loss of life and property.
The commission has been coordinating the implementation of 10 thematic areas, namely catchment reclamation and protection, riparian reclamation and beautification, reduction of waste (solid, industrial, and institutional waste and sewerage), people and social (community engagement), as well as drainage and hydrology.
It has been coordinating with government MDAs and the county governments of Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos and Makueni to ensure these thematic areas are adequately addressed through thematic working groups involving the stakeholders.
On March 10, 2025, Ruto launched the Nairobi River Regeneration and Engineering Works Programme to be implemented at a cost of Sh50 billion.
The project was expected to create 40,000 jobs, up from 22,000 under the Climate Works Mtaani Initiative, besides the construction of a 60km sewer line and 50,000 affordable houses in the reclaimed areas.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission and ministries of Housing, Environment and Defence are jointly implementing the project.
During the launch, Ruto said the government would ensure Nairobi remains clean and safe for the residents and visitors.
He described the project as a life-changing initiative that will ensure dignified living, sustainable transport and economic empowerment for thousands of residents.
The President said Kenya is not going to change if the right decisions are not made.
“I want to assure Kenyans that in the next 24 months, we are going to see a difference in Nairobi River,” he said.
Ruto made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for social housing and associated infrastructure along the Nairobi River in Kamukunji constituency, Nairobi.
The President said the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Project integrates affordable housing, modern markets and enhanced infrastructure, transforming it into a liveable and economically vibrant city.
Extending to Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Murang’a, the project entails river rehabilitation, flood mitigation, waste management and sewer lines, improving public health and urban resilience.
In the 2025-26 budget, Treasury CS John Mbadi allocated Sh26.8 billion for water and sewerage infrastructure development, Sh16.5 billion for water resources management and Sh1.9 billion for water storage and flood control.
In addition, the CS allocated Sh15 billion for irrigation and land reclamation and Sh266 million for water harvesting and storage for irrigation.
Sh3.7 billion was allocated for environment management and protection.
by GILBERT KOECH
