Urgent Appeal: Recent Heavy Rainfall Wreaks Havoc in Nairobi
The night rain sounded like stones on iron roofs. By morning, riverine communities were counting losses—mud where floors should be, furniture gone, paths turned into streams. In some places, rubbish that should never have been in a river arrived at people’s doorsteps as if the city had chosen their house as a dumping ground.
Along the Ngong River corridors, we thank God that no lives were lost in the incident ETCO was closest to—but the damage was real. Floodwater pushed solid waste into homes, not because families are careless, but because waste upstream becomes someone else’s emergency downstream. Unplanned dumping onto roads and pathways has also made movement dangerous, and open ditches filled with rainwater have become hazards nobody can ignore.
A city-wide warning
Dr Pamela Olet, Chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, has urged vigilance as heavy rains continue to threaten communities along the Nairobi River. Her plea is practical: stay informed, avoid flooded zones, prepare to move if you must, and look out for neighbours who cannot move fast.
Elsewhere in Nairobi, the same rains have taken lives—including a police officer in Kamukunji who died trying to rescue a trapped family; at the time of reporting, recovery efforts were still ongoing. That grief sits beside every appeal for urgent intervention; it is why drainage, waste, and river health are not abstract policy topics for people who live next to water.
If you can help—technical skills, funding, or organised clean-ups—reach out. Prevention is not a poster; it is sacks, systems, and people choosing not to look away while the sky is still clear.
Ngong River Regeneration Network - Zone (1-6)
The Ngong River Regeneration Network Zone Coordinators (Zones 1–6) held a productive meeting with the Commissioners representing the Ngong River, chaired by Commissioner Benjamin Langwen, alongside Commissioners John Kioli and Dr. Loice Jepkemboi Kipkiror, together with Inspector Ashford - NRC Secretariat. The meeting was highly engaging and inspiring, leaving us even more energized and committed to advancing the river restoration agenda. Together, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to not only regenerating our rivers, but also promoting a cleaner environment, encouraging food production through downstream farming, and creating sustainable job opportunities through riverine activities. #NgongRiverRestoration #NairobiRivers #EnvironmentalConservation #RiverRegeneration #ClimateAction #CommunityEmpowerment #GreenJobs
World Menstrual Hygiene Day Celebration
In celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day, ETCO, in partnership with Rotary Club of Nairobi Connect and with support from the Safaricom Foundation, today donated 900 sanitary towels to girls at Joash Olum Primary School. This initiative was aimed at supporting the girl child by promoting menstrual dignity, boosting confidence, and helping keep girls in school so they can stay focused on their education and future careers.
Kikuyu Rotary Club Team site visit - partnership
It was a pleasure hosting the Nairobi Rotary Club Connect’s Yumbya Nyamai, who also represented Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB), alongside the Kikuyu Rotary Club Presidents—past, current, and incoming—George Ngotho, Patrick, and Marion respectively. We truly appreciated your visit to the site and your interest in the upcoming waste management project.