NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has launched an ambitious KSh50 billion plan to restore the heavily polluted Nairobi River, in a move aimed at tackling environmental degradation while boosting job creation and affordable housing.
The Nairobi River Regeneration and Engineering Works Programme, unveiled on Monday, is expected to create 40,000 jobs, nearly doubling the 22,000 currently employed under the Climate Works Mtaani Initiative.
The project also includes the construction of a 60-kilometer sewer line and 50,000 affordable housing units in reclaimed areas along the riverbanks.
Speaking at the launch, President Ruto emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming Nairobi into a cleaner, healthier city.
“This initiative is about reclaiming our environment while ensuring economic opportunities for thousands of young people,” he said.
𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗢 𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗞𝗦𝗵𝟱𝟬 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗡𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗢𝗕𝗜 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗝𝗘𝗖𝗧 President @WilliamsRuto on Monday launched the Nairobi River Regeneration and Engineering Works Programme to be implemented at a cost of KSh50…
The Nairobi River has long suffered from pollution due to unchecked waste disposal, industrial runoff, and encroachment.
The regeneration project is expected to address these challenges through better waste management, improved sanitation infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning.
The project aligns with Ruto’s broader agenda of job creation and affordable housing, both key pillars of his administration’s economic strategy.
However, questions remain about implementation and long-term sustainability, given past failures in similar cleanup efforts.
Environmentalists and urban planners have cautiously welcomed the initiative, urging the government to ensure transparency and community involvement in the process.
