Let’s restore Nairobi rivers

The government has been implementing the Nairobi Rivers Basin Rehabilitation and Restoration Programme that aims to enhance sustainable management of rivers in the capital. The rivers in the Nairobi basin include Nairobi River, Ngong River, Mathare River, Kiu River, Riara River and Gatharaini River.

Stakeholders and Kenyans agree that the growth of Nairobi City has surpassed the rate at which infrastructural development is undertaken to meet the needs of the growing population. Urbanisation, population growth and industrialisation are putting enormous pressure on the Nairobi rivers. As a result of overuse and concentration of domestic and industrial activities, these rivers have become heavily polluted.

Industrial and other waste is discharged directly into the rivers without being treated and adversely impacting its ecology. The existing sewer network infrastructure covers an approximate area of 208 square kilometres, which represents approximately 40 per cent coverage. The challenges witnessed with the Nairobi rivers are because of decades of poor urban planning, weak environmental enforcement and unchecked human activities.

These challenges have led to four major issues. First is contaminated water leading to outbreaks of water-borne diseases. Second is the loss of biodiversity to contamination. Third, the economic setbacks as declining water quality affects agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Last is environmental degradation because of unregulated waste disposal and encroachment, causing flooding, soil erosion and ecosystem collapse.

Reviving Nairobi rivers is possible and requires a multi-stakeholder, multi-pronged approach. There is a need to enforce strict pollution laws and to invest in proper waste management. There is also need to effectively and sustainably engage local communities in conservation efforts, to leverage public-private partnerships to fund clean-up initiatives and to rehabilitate the riverbanks.

Dr Giti is an urban management, PPPs and environment specialist. [email protected]; @danielgiti.