Nairobi Rivers Commission CEO Brig. (Rtd.) Joseph Maina Muracia Highlights Progress in River Regeneration, Calls for Multi-Agency Support
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, Brigadier (Rtd.) Joseph Maina Muracia, has outlined the commission's progress in restoring Nairobi's rivers, saying the initiative is transforming the capital's waterways into clean, safe and attractive public spaces while protecting the environment for future generations.
Speaking during an interview, Muracia said the Nairobi Rivers Commission was established in December 2022 and renewed in October 2024 with the mandate of coordinating the regeneration, restoration and beautification of Nairobi's rivers.
He explained that the commission operates under the State Department for Housing and Urban Development and is responsible for coordinating ministries, departments, agencies, county governments, communities, development partners and the media in implementing the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme.
Muracia noted that the commission's work covers the Nairobi, Ngong and Mathare rivers, which eventually join the Athi River before flowing to the Indian Ocean. He stressed that restoring the rivers is critical to safeguarding downstream water resources and supporting major infrastructure such as the Thwake Dam.
He identified untreated sewage as the biggest source of pollution, noting that Nairobi's sewer infrastructure was designed decades ago for a much smaller population and can no longer cope with the city's current population of over five million people.
To address the challenge, the commission is overseeing the construction of large trunk sewer lines along both sides of the Nairobi River to capture wastewater before it enters the waterways. Other major sources of pollution being addressed include solid waste, industrial effluent and illegal encroachment on riparian land.
Muracia said the commission has also prioritized tree planting, protection of water catchment areas and flood mitigation by reclaiming riparian reserves and restoring natural river channels.
Among the commission's key achievements, he cited the successful coordination of government agencies under a unified multi-agency approach, replacing the previous silo system where institutions worked independently.
He said the commission has also strengthened community participation by establishing river management zones with locally elected coordinators who report environmental concerns directly to the commission.
Muracia further revealed that the commission coordinates approximately 42,000 Climate WorX youth employed by the government to clean and maintain river corridors across Nairobi.
He added that a Joint Multi-Agency Coordination Centre has been established, bringing together officers from the military, police, national government administration and other agencies to monitor activities along the rivers and respond quickly to emerging issues.
Muracia highlighted the flagship Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Project, which covers 27 kilometres of the Nairobi River. The project includes construction of trunk sewer systems, rehabilitation of 44 pedestrian and vehicle bridges, expansion and stabilization of river banks, landscaping, walkways, cycling lanes, solar lighting and the development of community parks, sports facilities and public recreational spaces.
He said the project also includes reclaiming sections of the Dandora dumpsite that have encroached on the river by constructing protective concrete barriers to prevent leachate from contaminating the water.
According to Muracia, the long-term vision is to transform Nairobi into a city where buildings face clean rivers instead of turning away from polluted waterways, creating attractive public spaces that improve the quality of life for residents.
He acknowledged that reclaiming riparian land remains one of the biggest challenges, with some affected individuals opposing the exercise through court cases. However, he maintained that the programme is guided by Article 42 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan the right to a clean and healthy environment.
Muracia also cited limited financial resources, bureaucratic processes and high demand for employment opportunities among young people as challenges affecting implementation.
Despite these hurdles, he expressed confidence that continued collaboration among government agencies, county governments, communities and development partners will enable the commission to achieve its vision of restoring Nairobi's rivers and creating a cleaner, greener and more resilient capital city.
