Architectural Association hails plan to designate Nairobi River corridor as special planning area

Outgoing AAK President Florence Nyole at a past function. [File, Standard] The Architectural Association of Kenya has hailed the government's decision to designate the Nairobi River Corridor as a Special Planning Area (SPA). President Florence Nyole said the step is a significant milestone in addressing social and environmental injustices caused by pollution, neglect and unregulated development. In a press statement, Nyole said the start of the long rain season is a stark reminder of the devastating impacts of flooding, including loss of lives, property destruction and forced evictions in many parts of the country. "These recurring disasters underscore the urgent need for long-term solutions to mitigate extreme weather effects and enhance urban resilience," she said. READ: Nairobi River, flooded with promises but filled with waste Nyole said that if properly implemented, the initiative by the government can transform Nairobi's urban landscape for the benefit of residents. She called for similar designations to be extended to other critical ecosystems that include river basins and water catchment areas, to safeguard Kenya's natural resources and reinforce long-term ecological and economic stability. Earlier this month, the county government issued a special notice making the declaration and invited members of the public to submit their views on the issue within two weeks. The notice issued on March 6, 2025, by the County Executive Committee Member for Environment Patrick Mbogo indicated that the designated area will cover a 60-meter buffer zone beyond the high-water mark on each side of the river-comprising a 30-meter riparian corridor and an additional 30-meter development area. It will see the Nairobi River Corridor extend from Naivasha Road to Ruai, including its tributaries, and will enable the preparation of a Local Physical Development and Land use plan that will provide a framework for river regeneration, flood hazard mitigation and riparian land-use redevelopment of the land. The plan will also support the construction of Social and Affordable housing and associated social and physical infrastructure and will include a financing structure for the development of the special planning area. Nairobi City County workers engaged in the clean up of Ngong river in Kibera during the 'Let the rivers flow' initiative on November 30, 2023. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard] Nyole noted that the Nairobi River corridor holds immense potential in the creation of urban parks that would go a long way in enhancing the quality of life in cities by providing green spaces for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction. "The corridor presents a unique opportunity to develop spaces that benefit the environment and the local community. Green infrastructure, such as wetlands and riparian buffers, can be integrated to help filter pollutants and improve water quality". The riparian restoration, she added, must ensure that all affected individuals are treated respectfully and solutions are applied fairly across all communities while upholding rights to safe and sustainable living environments. She said encroachment is not limited to informal settlements and affects neighborhoods across all income levels. The process must be systematic, transparent, and participatory, safeguarding the dignity of affected individuals while preventing future encroachments through sustainable urban planning. "Given the scale of this undertaking, a multi-stakeholder approach is essential. Several organizations working in informal settlements have conducted extensive research and visioning exercises with local communities to reimagine the use of riparian areas," she said. She urged the state to leverage such networks to ensure that the SPA plan is responsive to the needs of the affected populations. Nyole pointed out that poor urban planning has further degraded riparian ecosystems and that inadequate infrastructure and weak development controls have exposed the areas to encroachment and pollution. ALSO READ: Ruto launches second phase of Nairobi River clean up "Efforts to restore riparian reserves will be ineffective without addressing broader urban planning deficiencies. Properly integrating these areas into urban planning frameworks is necessary for long-term sustainability," she said. She also underscored the need to map flood zones using empirical data such as historical records, Geographic Information System and remote sensing, ecological assessments, and hydrological modeling to guide effective interventions. Nyole highlighted gaps in legal frameworks such as inconsistencies in key legislations that include the Water Act (2002), Agriculture Act, Environment Management and Coordination Act (1999), Survey Act (CAP 299) and Physical and Land Use Planning Act (CAP 286) that hinder effective riparian protection. "AAK remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to implement inclusive, sustainable, and legally sound solutions that protect ecologically sensitive ecosystems and enhance resilience against future disasters," she said.

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