NAIROBI, Kenya – Nairobi County has mobilized its 4,500-member Green Army for a citywide clean-up as the capital steps up preparations for expected heavy rains and moves to strengthen management of the Nairobi River corridor.
Governor Sakaja Johnson has invited residents, communities, businesses and institutions to join a citywide clean-up scheduled for Saturday, October 10, to mark Mazingira Day.
The exercise will target neighbourhoods, roads and drainage channels across the capital, with the county urging residents to make environmental responsibility part of their daily activities.
“Nairobi Lazima Iwork is not just about what the county government does. It is about what each one of us does. If every Nairobi resident takes responsibility for the space around them, keeps their neighborhood clean and protects our drainage, we will build the Nairobi we all want to see,” Sakaja said.
Sakaja Mobilizes Residents For Clean-Up
The governor has called on households, businesses and institutions to take responsibility for their surroundings, including maintaining clean spaces around their premises.
The October 10 exercise comes as part of an ongoing mega clean-up campaign being conducted across all 17 sub-counties.
The 4,500-strong Green Army has been joined by county staff, residents, businesses and other stakeholders in the clean-up drive.
Nairobi collects about 3,200 tonnes of garbage every day, placing pressure on waste-management systems and increasing the risk of blocked drainage during heavy rainfall.
Green Nairobi CEC Maureen Njeri said the campaign seeks to encourage residents to take a more active role in maintaining their neighbourhoods instead of relying solely on the county government.
County Steps Up Drainage Clearing
The county has also intensified efforts to clear drainage channels ahead of the expected rains.
Residents have been warned against dumping waste in waterways, which can block drainage systems and worsen flooding during heavy rainfall.
The county’s clean-up campaign is therefore being linked to broader preparations to reduce the impact of flooding across Nairobi.
Nairobi River Corridor Gets New Planning Framework
The clean-up campaign comes as Nairobi County begins preparations for a new development plan for the Nairobi River corridor.
Gazette Notice No. 15522 states that preparation of the Nairobi River Corridor Special Planning Area Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan commenced on September 25, 2026.
The plan will provide a statutory framework for regenerating the Nairobi River and mitigating flood hazards along the corridor.
It will also guide the use and redevelopment of riparian land and the development of infrastructure within the designated area.
Plan Includes Social And Affordable Housing
The proposed framework will also provide for social and affordable housing, alongside related social and physical infrastructure.
The county says the plan will guide redevelopment within the designated corridor while addressing environmental and flood-related risks.
The planning process is being undertaken under Section 47 of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019.
Members of the public and other interested stakeholders have been given 21 days from the date of the Gazette notice to submit comments on the proposed planning process.
