Duale vows to clean up Nairobi River in 18 months

Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale plants an indigenous tree at the Nairobi Aboretum on 10th October 2024. [David Gichuru, Standard]

Environment and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has warned against polluting the Nairobi River, vowing strict action against those who violate regulations.

Speaking at the Nairobi Arboretum on Thursday, October 10 during Mazingira Day celebrations, Duale directed the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to trace and question garbage collection companies on where they dispose of waste.

“What you see behind me is not a river. In 18 months, we want to see a clean Nairobi. We have put on notice companies, slaughterhouses, and Nairobi sewerage firms. We also want to know where garbage collectors are taking the trash,” said the CS.

National Defense College (NDC) together with KWS Kikuyu residents planting trees at Ondiri wetland in Kikuyu sub-county, [Kimaku Chege, Standard]

CS Duale further placed the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company on notice for allegedly polluting the Nairobi River.

“We have put on notice the polluters of the Nairobi River, including industries, factories, and slaughterhouses. We have no choice but to hold them accountable and shame those harming our river,” Duale stated.

The initiative to reclaim the Nairobi River was relaunched recently by President William Ruto in Kariobangi. During the launch, Ruto introduced the “Climate Works Mtaani” initiative, a national climate action and livelihood program focused on environmental sustainability.

Leading the efforts on Thursday, CS Duale announced plans to engage 20,000 young people in cleaning up the Nairobi River. He reiterated the commitment to restoring the river, adding that he would “gazette the color coding of garbage collected in homes.”

“All households and facilities must have separate bins for organic, dry, or wet waste,” he stated, instructing NEMA to ensure waste tracking from homes and industries to designated dumpsites.

Miss Tourism Africa Noni Kariuki and Miss Climate Kenya Dorcas Naishorua join Nairobi primary school pupils matching to Nairobi Arboretum. [David Gichuru, Standard]

“We will hold garbage collection companies accountable for where they dump waste,” he said, urging the public to take responsibility for conserving the environment.

The ongoing Nairobi River cleanup targets the entire stretch from Naivasha Road to Athi River at Z-corner Juja Farm.

Duale, accompanied by Forestry Principal Secretary Gitonga Mugambi, highlighted that Kenyans have planted 481 million trees since the beginning of the year.

 “We are urging Kenyans to participate in environmental conservation by planting trees, aligning with the government's goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032,” he added.

He also noted the challenges posed by climate change, noting that Kenya has experienced severe drought, the worst in 40 years, resulting in the loss of at least 42 lives in Nairobi alone.
Mazingira Day, formerly Utamaduni Day, was gazetted by President Ruto last year to boost efforts in combating climate change.