Launch of the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Project By President Dr. William Ruto
2. Key Attendees The event was graced by high-ranking government officials, including: - President Dr. William Ruto – Chief guest - Deputy President - Pro. Kithure Kindiki - Cabinet Secretary for Environment & Internal Security amon others - Principal Secretaries for Defence, Environment, Land, and Water - Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) Secretariat - Nairobi County Governor: - Hon. Johnson Sakaja - Nairobi Women Reo: - Hon. Esther Passaris - Members of Parliament: - Hon. Phelix Odiwuor Kodhe (Jalang’o) – MP, Lang’ata - Hon. Julius Orero – MP, Kibra and Others...and MCAs - Local Administrators: County Commissioner (CC), Assistant County Commissioners (ACC), District Officers (D.Os), and Chiefs from all affected areas - Community members from various areas of the Nairobi Rivers, including Climate Worx Mtaani team. 3. Key Project Components The project focuses on several critical interventions, including: - Sanitation & Infrastructure: Construction of toilets, sewer lines, and markets along the riverbanks. - Social Amenities & Housing: An extended 30-meter buffer zone for social housing in some areas. - Feasibility Study for Ngong River: - Conducted to assess potential donors, sponsors, and feasible interventions. - Identifies the exact number of people residing along the riparian zone. - Community members, local administrators, and NGAO to participate in data collection inclusive engagements. - Immediate Project Kickoff on Nairobi River: - Construction of the identified amenities and facilities commenced immediately after the launch which shall create additional job opportunities. (Potential increase in the wage paid) - Presence of contractors and engineers on the ground, signaling the project’s rapid implementation. 4. Presidential Remarks & Call to Action President Dr. William Ruto urged donors, sponsors, partners and the community to actively participate in the regeneration efforts. He emphasized the need for multi-agency collaboration to ensure the project’s sustainability and long-term success. 5. Conclusion & Way Forward The launch marks a significant milestone in the restoration of Nairobi’s rivers.
Project Site Visit by Rotary Club of IPSWICH (USA) and Kikuyu (Kenya)
It was a great and engaging day of partnership and learning as we hosted the International Rotary Club of IPSWICH team, led by Environmental Lawyer Chris and his wife, Jane, Former President of Rotary Club of Kikuyu Hon. George Ngotho and Rotarian Yumbya for a visit to our project implementation sites. The visit provided an opportunity to review the project areas on the ground, discuss implementation priorities, and strengthen our shared commitment to sustainable environmental and community development. We also had the opportunity to visit the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC), where we were hosted by Commissioner Dr. Loice Kipkorir, a member of the Ngong River Committee. We explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration and align our work with the Nairobi Rivers Commission's Restoration Framework.
Community Capacity Building Training
We are currently participating in the ongoing PROVE (Public Space Governance Research, Observation, Validation and Experimentation) Pilot Programme, a four-month initiative by Public Space Networks (PSN) bringing together 11 community groups from Kamukunji and Korogocho. The programme focuses on strengthening community organizations’ capacity to manage, protect and improve public spaces as well as restoring rivers and it's ecosystems. The ongoing capacity-building training is helping CBOs and community organizations better understand the connection between public spaces, river restoration and ecosystem conservation, while exploring practical approaches and stronger collaboration among communities, government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
High Level NRC & Development Partners Meeting
Representing the Ngong River Regeneration Network, I'm having the privilege of attending a high-level breakfast meeting convened by the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) in collaboration with the Kenya Permanent Mission to UN-Habitat. The meeting has brought together Development Partners, Government Agencies, Private Sector representatives, and Community representatives to deliberate on the restoration and sustainable management of Nairobi’s rivers.