By Peter Ochieng
Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has warned that the dream of making Nairobi a top investment destination in Africa will just remain but a dream, if nothing is done to prevent pollution of rivers in the City.
Speaking during an engagement with members of the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) at his official residence in Karen Nairobi on Wednesday, the DP said most of the rivers in Kenya’s Capital are chocking in pollution.
“We cannot take pride in Nairobi as the top investment destination in Africa and globally, when the rivers are choking in pollution- a high health hazard to our people,” said the second in command.
“Pollution and other forms of degradation of the Nairobi Rivers are a threat to the existence of our people, not only in Nairobi and its environs but also across the country.”
“Our commitment to delivering a clean Nairobi Rivers Basin in the City and the Counties downstream, remains firmly on course,” he added.
The meeting was attended by among others, Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale, his Water, Irrigation and Sanitation counterpart Zachariah Njeru, Principal Secretaries Ephantus Kimotho (Irrigation) Festus Ng’eno (Environment), Charles Hinga (Housing) Nickson Korir (Lands), Julius Korir (Water) and Teresia Mbaika (Devolution).
Nairobi Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri, MPs Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Esther Passaris (Nairobi County Women Representative), Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), Dr Pamela Olet (Chairperson, Nairobi Rivers Commission) and Members of Nairobi County Assembly also attended.
Gachagua challenged leaders present to make the right decisions in the interest of the people.
In February, 2024, President William Ruto launched the new Nairobi Rivers Commission mandated to spearhead activities aimed at restoring the cleanliness of waters and supporting socio-economic programs, along the Nairobi river basin.
The commission was mandated with overseeing the restoration, regeneration, protection and unlocking the socioeconomic potential of the basin of Nairobi rivers, and all water bodies including the Ngong river, Nairobi river and Mathare river.
President Ruto noted that the city of Nairobi had become a shameful, hazardous and unpleasant environment, adding that commitment to the integrity of the environment is a central feature of political, economic, social, and cultural life in Kenya.
“The responsible stewardship of the environmental agenda is a matter of inter-generational justice and we shall not be a generation so reckless as to pursue a scorched-earth policy in our quest for prosperity,” he noted.
“Mountains of rotting garbage, innumerable kinds of harmful refuse dumped in rivers and streams, and dust and smog have, over time, become the defining characteristics of Nairobi in particular, and urbanization in Kenya in general,” he regretted.
In her remarks, Dr. Pamela Olet, Chair of the commission noted that with over 56% of the Nairobi population spread across low and middle-income settlements along the Nairobi basin, the restoration and rehabilitation process of the river shall help in curbing pollution.
“It is important to reclaim the Nairobi river basin to ensure reduced cases of pollution and curbing it in the long term,” she said.
Members of the commission include Grace Senewa, Eva Muhia, Elizabeth Wathuti, Carlota Dal Lago, Elijah Biama and Duncan Ojwang.
