Sh180 billion needed to regenerate Nairobi rivers as Sakaja defends plan

A staggering Sh180 billion is required to fully regenerate Nairobi’s heavily populated rivers, including the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers, as the government intensifies efforts to clean the waterways.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said it would cost an average of Sh60 billion to restore each river to its original state.

“Currently, counties can only borrow up to five per cent of their revenue. We cannot raise the money on our own to clear the rivers, which is why we work with the Nairobi Rivers Commission and national government departments,” Sakaja explained.

The governor made the remarks while defending the ongoing Nairobi Regeneration Programme and denying that his administration was responsible for last year’s demolitions along the riverbanks, which left several people homeless.

Speaking before the Senate Lands Committee on Thursday, Sakaja clarified that the demolitions were carried out by the national government.

“Our administration only declared sections along the rivers as special planning areas. This was a planning exercise and did not involve demolition.”

 “The demolitions were not done by us; they were carried out by the national government. Declaring special planning zones was simply an expression of intention and we consulted local communities,” he said.

 He appeared alongside the residents of Korogocho and the Nairobi Rivers Commission officials to respond to a petition by the residents over inhumane demolitions.

 While condemning inhumane demolitions, Sakaja reaffirmed his support for the regeneration programme, emphasising its benefits for residents and the economy.

 “The initiative protects those living along the riverbanks and creates thousands of jobs for youth and local communities.”

 “Cleaning the rivers improves safety, sanitation, security and the environment. Many have lost their lives due to floods, which is unacceptable. We are committed to cleaning the city together with the national government,” he said.

 Sakaja said he would lead the residents to the relevant national government offices to ensure they are compensated.

 The governor added that the county is collaborating closely with the national government and the Nairobi Rivers Commission to restore the health of the city’s rivers and surrounding ecosystems.

 Commission chairperson Margaret Wanjiru confirmed that the demolitions were conducted by the national government.

 She said the commission’s role is the coordination of the various agencies tasked with river restoration.

 The Nairobi Regeneration Programme was launched to tackle decades of pollution, poor drainage and unplanned settlements along the city’s riverbanks.

 It has already created hundreds of jobs through clean-up exercises, landscaping, waste management and infrastructure projects.

County officials say thousands of casual jobs have been generated across key regeneration sites, including Mathare, Ngong and the Nairobi River corridors.

Beyond cleaning, Sakaja said the programme includes major infrastructure projects to transform Nairobi’s sanitation and drainage systems. “We are constructing a 50-kilometre sewer line that will serve the city for the next 50 years,” he noted, highlighting the long-term vision behind the initiative.

He added that the programme is part of a broader urban renewal plan to make Nairobi cleaner, greener and safer.

“This is not just about the environment; it is about restoring dignity, creating livelihoods and ensuring residents live in a modern, well-planned city,” Sakaja said.

Key components of the programme include the construction of a 60-kilometre trunk sewer line along the Nairobi River Basin and the modernisation of the Kariobangi Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will increase processing capacity from 60,000 to 90,000 cubic metres per day.

The city is also developing 27.2 kilometres of five-metre-wide non-motorised transport corridors linking Naivasha Road to Lucky Summer, promoting sustainable urban mobility.

Additionally, the planned closure and conversion of the Dandora Dumpsite into a circular economy and waste-to-energy facility is expected to create green jobs, reduce pollution and position Nairobi as a leader in sustainable waste management.

Beyond infrastructure, the programme has evolved into a social movement, with grassroots groups leading local clean-ups and urban greening initiatives. In Korogocho, for example, youth from Komb Green Solutions have spearheaded river clean-ups and environmental projects, fostering local pride and stewardship.

 Sakaja said the regeneration programme represents a holistic approach to city development, combining environmental restoration, social empowerment and infrastructure modernisation.

 “We are committed to ensuring Nairobi becomes a city where residents live safely, work productively and enjoy a clean and sustainable environment,” he said.