Ruto launches yet another attempt to clean up Nairobi River

President William Ruto standing by Nairobi river on September 12. [Photo, PCS]

President William Ruto has once again embarked on a mission to restore the Nairobi River, launching the latest phase of the river’s regeneration project in Korogocho.

This marks the second time Ruto [as president] has initiated a similar project, with the first launched in February 2023.

During the initial event last year, Ruto announced over 12,000 job openings for youth and women to participate in cleaning efforts. The exercise, which was set to begin in March 2023, was to include activities like tree planting, cleaning water bodies, and greening neighborhoods in the capital.

“The government of Kenya, under the Ministry of Environment, is partnering with the County of Nairobi to hire 12,770 young people and women to participate in cleaning the river and planting trees,” Ruto said during the February launch.

Governor Johnson Sakaja at the time noted that Nairobi County needed Sh4.5 billion in the short term, Sh6 billion in the medium term, and a total of Sh19 billion over five years to establish a proper sewerage system. The president said the project was moving forward through a partnership with the African Development Bank, which provided Sh22 billion to fund the system's construction.

“We already have a program funded by the African Development Bank and other partners to install a proper sewage system, especially in Westlands. Those polluting our rivers are on notice,” Ruto said.

But on Thursday, September 12, 2024, Ruto relaunched the program, which now includes the rehabilitation of the river catchment basin and the construction of affordable housing for families living along the riverbanks.

He also introduced the “Climate Works Mtaani” initiative, a national climate action and livelihood program that will engage about 200,000 youth in environmental sustainability efforts.

“By launching the National Climate Resilience Programme, we take our first significant step to build resilience, restore our natural ecosystems, and create opportunities for our youth,” Ruto said.

The president announced that the first phase of the Climate Works initiative will officially begin on October 1, 2024, encouraging 20,000 youth to apply for jobs.

The project will expand to major cities including Mombasa, Eldoret, Nakuru, and Kisumu within a month, with 40,000 youth expected to be involved. An additional 10,000 will be allocated to various areas of Nairobi starting in early November.

Once again, Ruto issued a stern warning to those polluting the rivers, vowing to hold them accountable for dumping waste. “Entities polluting our rivers- industries, manufacturers, and those discharging raw sewage and solid waste—will all be held to account,” he said.

Not the first time

Efforts to clean Nairobi River, which spans approximately 2,500 square kilometers, have repeatedly stalled over the years.

The Nairobi River Basin Program, launched in 1999, and former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Nairobi Regeneration Programme, also failed to achieve lasting results.

In December 2022, Ruto formed the Nairobi River Commission, chaired by former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu but its role in the cleaning efforts remains unclear.

According to the commission’s website, its mandate is to coordinate initiatives for the protection, restoration, and rehabilitation of rivers and water bodies within the Nairobi River Basin.

Reacting to Thursday’s launch, netizens are wondering why another project is being initiated, while a commission to oversee the cleanup of the Nairobi River exists.