President William Ruto has pledged that within two years, Nairobi River will be fully transformed.
Speaking on the issue, Ruto expressed concern over the state of the river, calling it unacceptable for such a polluted river to exist in the city that hosts major environmental bodies.
“I want to promise you that the river we have in Nairobi in two years will be different. We cannot have the headquarters of world environment, UNEP, in Nairobi and still have the dirty river that we have,” he said.
The President emphasized his commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure Nairobi lives up to its status as the world’s environmental headquarters. He noted that since the launch of the Climate WorX Mtaani initiative in September, 10,000 youths have already been employed.
Climate WorX Mtaani was created to revolutionize urban areas by addressing illegal dumping and waste discharge while promoting sustainable communities.
Ruto’s remarks follow those made by Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who stated that the Nairobi River would be cleaned within 18 months. Duale warned of strict action against anyone found polluting the river.
“What you see behind me is not a river. In 18 months, we want to see a clean Nairobi,” Duale said during Mazingira Day celebrations at the Nairobi Arboretum. He warned companies, slaughterhouses, and sewerage firms against dumping in the river and called for accountability from garbage collection services.
Duale also announced plans to engage 20,000 young people in the Nairobi River cleanup, adding that he would “gazette the colour coding of garbage collected in homes.” He emphasized the need for separate bins for organic, dry, or wet waste in all households and facilities.
The cleanup initiative targets the entire stretch of Nairobi River, from Naivasha Road to Athi River at Z-Corner Juja Farm. The project was relaunched by President Ruto in Kariobangi as part of the ongoing efforts to reclaim the river.
