Nairobi braves sceptics in ambitious quest to build livelihoods along its polluted river valley

Nairobi City County workers engaged in the clean up of Nairobi River in Kibera during the 'Let the rivers flow' initiative on November 20, 2023. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

On the banks of the Nairobi River, where garbage chokes the waters and informal settlements teeter precariously, a quiet revolution is taking shape. The river, long a symbol of urban neglect, is at the heart of an ambitious regeneration project that promises to transform Kenya’s capital into a cleaner, greener, and more equitable city.

From new and revitalised traders’ markets to lush Riverfront parks, the Nairobi River Basin Masterplan is a bold vision to reclaim a waterway that has for years been abused.

For decades, the Nairobi River has been a dumping ground. Solid waste—2,400 tons generated daily in the city, 20% of it plastic—clogs its flow, while 66 pollution points along its mainstem and 113 along its Ngong tributary spew untreated sewage and industrial waste.

In informal settlements like Mukuru, Sinai, and Mathare, home to 60% of Nairobi’s 4.4 million residents, flooding is a constant threat, exacerbated by inadequate drainage and riverside encroachments. The consequences are dire: contaminated water irrigates half of Nairobi’s vegetables, posing food safety risks, while heavy metals from industrial discharge poison the ecosystem.

Yet, hope is rising. The National Government, through the State Departments for Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Water and Sanitation, the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Nairobi City County Government and the Nairobi Rivers Commission, has launched a multi-phase regeneration plan to restore the Nairobi river and its tributaries. The project, detailed in a comprehensive engineering plan – dubbed The Social/ Affordable Housing and Associated Infrastructure for the Protection, Restoration, Rehabilitation and Beautification works for the Nairobi River Basin, aims to tackle pollution, flooding, and urban decay while creating economic opportunities and improving quality of life.

A futuristic image of how Nairobi River will serve Nairobians after completion of the cleaning initiative.

“This is not just about cleaning a river,” says Mumo Musuva, a Member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission. “It’s about reimagining Nairobi as a city where everyone has access to clean water, safe homes, and green spaces.”

Cleaning the Artery

The regeneration begins with the Nairobi River, the first of the three rivers targeted in a phased approach that will later include the Ngong and Mathare rivers. Phase One focuses on a 27.2-kilometer stretch from Ondiri Swamp to Dandora Falls, encompassing zones that promise high impact in the shortest time. The strategy is clear: stop pollution at its sources, reclaim and restore the riparian reserves, and engage communities to sustain progress.

Upstream, in areas like Riruta, Dagoretti, Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Riverside Drive, interventions include removing garbage, building new trunk sewer systems, river and river-bank engineering and enforcing anti-dumping regulations. The Water Resources Authority is mapping pollution points within 30m of either side of the rivers from the high-water marks with the aim of securing riparian reserves to prevent further encroachments and pollution. Constructed wetlands and tree-planting initiatives—targeting over 100,000 trees—will restore the river’s natural filtration and enhance its aesthetic appeal and enhance the value of all private properties fronting onto the rivers.

A futuristic image of how Nairobi River will serve Nairobians after completion of the cleaning initiative.

Midstream, from the Arboretum, through Museum Hill Round About, Grogan Road to 1st Avenue Eastleigh, the plan introduces Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) routes, including 6.5 kilometres of cycling and pedestrian paths. These will connect cultural landmarks like the National Museum to new public spaces and revamped public markets in Ngara and Gikomba areas, making the river a vibrant frontage linked to Nairobi’s important trader areas rather than a forgotten backwater.

Pedestrian bridges and interchanges will improve accessibility, while public art and functional designs, like benches made from recycled waste, will draw people to the revitalized waterfront.

Downstream, the Kariobangi Wastewater Treatment Plant is a cornerstone of the project. Upgraded with advanced A²/O technology, it will treat an additional 60,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily, safely releasing it into the river and fostering healthier ecosystems. The plant is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation, a boon for a city where unemployment is a persistent challenge.

Futuristic image of how the regeneration of the river will create a whole newsphere of opportunity.

The Ecosystem

Beyond environmental restoration, the master plan envisions a socio-economic transformation. Social and Affordable housing is a flagship component, with close to 10,000 units planned across 14 sites, from Globe Roundabout to Lucky Summer. These homes, designed for low- and median-income families, will replace flood-prone shanties with dignified, secure residences. Rents, capped at 30% of monthly income under the Affordable Housing Act, will be controlled to ensure accessibility.

The project also includes new markets for traders, ranging from community-level hubs to sprawling centers like Ngara and Gikomba Markets, which will be developed to accommodate close to 10,000 vendors. These markets, paired with infrastructure like roads, bridges, and waste management systems, will create a sustainable urban system.

Community centers, or River Connect Kiosks, will serve as hubs for education, administration, and social activities, built from repurposed shipping containers in a nod to sustainability.

Futuristic image of community centers built along the river, with each one offering a library, study areas for students, meeting spaces, a garden, and accessible washroom facilities. 

The Dandora Dumpsite, a notorious symbol of Nairobi’s waste crisis, is slated to be pushed back by at least 50m away from the Nairobi River. The plan proposes collecting landfill leachate and biogas, relocating waste to a new sanitary landfill, and transforming the site into riverfront parks and urban agriculture zones. At Dandora Falls, a 1954 Memorial Park will feature viewing decks and war sculptures, turning a polluted endpoint into a place of reflection and beauty.

The Dividends

The regeneration is expected to yield significant economic benefits. Land value capture, a policy to reinvest increased property values, could see land fronting the river appreciate by up to 30%, based on global case studies, while rezoning and densification will unlock commercial and recreational potential of private properties facing the river front. Works on the project are expected to create thousands of jobs, from construction to bike rentals and market vending, boosting both short-term and long-term economic growth.

Socially, the benefits are profound. Access to clean water will improve public health, while safe public spaces like parks and wetlands will foster community pride. Urban agriculture, supported by cleaner water, will enhance food security, particularly downstream, where fertile soils support farming. The Thwake Dam, 80.5 meters high and nearing completion, will benefit from cleaner inflows, securing water, energy, and agriculture for the three counties of Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado.

Community engagement is central to the plan. River Connect Kiosks, backed by the Kenya Revenue Authority and shipping companies, will empower residents to take ownership of the river’s revival. Initiatives like tree nurseries and community cookers will turn waste into economic opportunities, while education campaigns will build consensus on sustainable practices.

Resilience

The road to regeneration is not without obstacles. Nairobi’s rapid urbanization, with a 5.14% annual population growth rate, strains infrastructure and resources. Informal settlements, occupying just 6% of the city’s land but housing 2.5 million people, complicate urban management. Climate change, with phenomena like El Niño, heightens flood risks, while entrenched issues like inadequate sewage treatment, currently at 23%, and outdated waste management systems demand urgent upgrades.

Skeptics point to past failures, like manual cleanups that addressed symptoms rather than root causes. “We’ve seen promises before,” says Peter Kwanya, a Mukuru resident who lost his home to flooding in 2024. “What’s different this time?”

Futuristic image of Thwake Dam, built by China Energy located one kilometer downstream of the confluence of Thwake and Athi Rivers

Planners acknowledge the skepticism but emphasize the project’s comprehensive approach, combining engineering, policy, and community involvement. “This isn’t a quick fix,” says Mumo. “It’s a long-term commitment to systemic change.”

A National Ambition

The Nairobi River’s revival is more than a local endeavor; it’s a national priority. Cleaner rivers will benefit not just the capital but also downstream communities reliant on the Athi River and Thwake Dam. Besides, the project aligns with 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, from clean water to decent work and climate action. Its success could serve as a model for other African cities grappling with urban decay and environmental degradation.

As the first phase rolls out, with catalytic projects targeting zones from Arboretum to Dandora Falls, Nairobians are beginning to imagine a different future. Children play in the shadow of new seedling zones, traders set up stalls in revitalized markets, and cyclists pedal along the river’s edge. The Nairobi River, once a scar on the city’s landscape, is poised to become its lifeline—a testament to what vision, collaboration, and resilience can achieve.