KARA, Nairobi Rivers Commission Rally Citizens to Drive Bold Nairobi River Renewal at Joint Forum

KARA, Nairobi Rivers Commission Rally Citizens to Drive Bold Nairobi River Renewal at Joint Forum.

Henry Ochieng', KARA CEO Speaking during a joint Forum at Waridi Paradise Hotel, Nairobi.

Nairobi – August 20, 2025

The Nairobi River, once a lifeline for the city and now a symbol of urban neglect, is set to undergo a historic transformation. The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) and the Nairobi Rivers Commission today convened a high-level joint forum at Waridi Paradise Hotel, Hurlingham Nairobi to rally citizens, community groups, and private sector players to actively lead and shape the Nairobi River Regeneration Project.

The initiative, stretching from Naivasha Road through Museum Hill to Dandora Falls, is being hailed as one of the most ambitious urban renewal efforts in Kenya’s history, with the potential to redefine Nairobi’s environmental, social, and economic landscape.

KARA Chief Executive Officer Henry Ochieng’ underscored that the regeneration will only succeed if residents take ownership of the process.

“This project is not just about cleaning a river; it is about restoring dignity to Nairobi and creating a legacy of sustainable urban living,” CEO KARA, Henry Ochieng’ said. “As KARA, we represent the voice of communities, and we are determined to ensure citizens are not passive observers but active shapers of this transformation.”

Ochieng’ emphasized that residents’ contributions from ideas on waste management to community policing of riverbanks will form the foundation for lasting solutions. He noted that KARA will act as a bridge between citizens, government, and other stakeholders to keep the project people-centered.

The Nairobi Rivers Commission, established in 2022 by President William Ruto, is spearheading the multi-agency regeneration plan covering five counties: Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos, and Makueni.

Commissioner Joseph revealed that the river system has been divided into six zones to allow for targeted interventions. The Commission has identified three major sources of pollution that is solid waste, sewage, and industrial effluent as the root causes of Nairobi River’s decline.

“Our mission is to bring everyone to the table from ministries and county governments to residents and businesses because this is a shared responsibility. No single entity can clean Nairobi River alone,” Joseph said.

Commissioner Mumo painted a picture of what is at stake. The Nairobi River Basin, he said, currently provides ecosystem services worth KSh 273 million annually, including water supply, biodiversity support, and climate regulation. Yet unchecked pollution has cut water flow by nearly 50%, amounting to a loss of 17,000 cubic meters, a stark warning of what Nairobi stands to lose if nothing is done.

“This is not just an environmental clean-up, it is an economic recovery plan, a cultural revival, and a climate resilience strategy,” Mumo noted.

The project’s first phase is set to deliver visible results that blend environmental restoration with socio-economic development. Plans like Construction of 10,000 social and affordable housing units along the corridor, new markets and commercial spaces to uplift informal traders, a modern trunk sewer line to reduce direct pollution into the river, creation of 25,000 direct jobs in construction, waste management, and related sectors, flood reduction measures and improved sanitation for surrounding neighborhoods.

Commissioner Mumo stressed that these interventions will not only revive the river’s health but also create new livelihoods and restore community pride in Nairobi’s waterway.

The joint KARA–Nairobi Rivers Commission forum drew participation from civil society, academic institutions, private developers, and youth-led environmental movements. Many hailed the initiative as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reclaim a vital resource that has been written off for decades as a dumping ground.

With political goodwill, strong institutional backing, and now citizen buy-in, the Nairobi River Regeneration Project is being positioned as a flagship model for urban renewal across Africa.