NAIROBI – On the banks of the Nairobi River—where garbage chokes the waters and informal settlements teeter precariously—a quiet revolution is taking shape. Once a symbol of urban neglect, the river now sits at the heart of an ambitious regeneration project that promises to transform Kenya’s capital into a cleaner, greener, and more equitable city.
From new and revitalised traders’ markets to lush riverfront parks, the Nairobi River Basin Masterplan is a bold vision to reclaim a waterway long abused.
For decades, the Nairobi River has served as a dumping ground. Solid waste—2,400 tons generated daily in the city, 20% of it plastic—clogs its flow, while 66 pollution points along its mainstem and 113 along its Ngong tributary discharge untreated sewage and industrial effluent.
In informal settlements like Mukuru, Sinai, and Mathare—home to 60% of Nairobi’s 4.4 million residents—flooding is a constant threat, exacerbated by inadequate drainage and riverside encroachments. The consequences are dire: contaminated water irrigates half of Nairobi’s vegetables, posing food safety risks, while heavy metals from industrial waste poison the ecosystem.
Yet hope is rising. The national government—through the State Departments for Environment, Housing and Urban Development, Water and Sanitation, and the Ministry of Defence—in collaboration with the Nairobi City County Government and the Nairobi Rivers Commission, has launched a multi-phase regeneration plan to restore the river and its tributaries. Detailed in a comprehensive engineering blueprint dubbed The Social/Affordable Housing and Associated Infrastructure for the Protection, Restoration, Rehabilitation and Beautification of the Nairobi River Basin, the project aims to tackle pollution, flooding, and urban decay while creating economic opportunities and improving quality of life.
“This is not just about cleaning a river,” says Mumo Musuva, a member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission. “It’s about reimagining Nairobi as a city where everyone has access to clean water, safe homes, and green spaces.”
Cleaning the Artery
The regeneration begins with the Nairobi River—the first of three rivers targeted in a phased approach that will later include the Ngong and Mathare rivers. Phase One focuses on a 27.2-kilometer stretch from Ondiri Swamp to Dandora Falls, covering zones identified for their potential to deliver high impact within the shortest time.
The strategy is clear: stop pollution at its sources, reclaim and restore riparian reserves, and engage communities to sustain progress.
Upstream, in areas like Riruta, Dagoretti, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, and Riverside Drive, interventions include garbage removal, new trunk sewer systems, river and bank engineering, and enforcement of anti-dumping regulations. The Water Resources Authority is mapping pollution points within 30 meters of either side of the rivers from their high-water marks to secure riparian reserves and prevent further encroachment and pollution. Constructed wetlands and tree-planting initiatives—targeting over 100,000 trees—aim to restore natural filtration, enhance aesthetics, and increase the value of private properties fronting the rivers.
Midstream—from the Arboretum through Museum Hill Roundabout, Grogan Road, and 1st Avenue Eastleigh—the plan introduces 6.5 kilometres of non-motorised transport (NMT) routes for cycling and pedestrians. These paths will connect cultural landmarks like the National Museum to public spaces and revamped markets in Ngara and Gikomba, transforming the river from a neglected backwater into a vibrant urban frontage.
Pedestrian bridges and interchanges will improve access, while public art and functional designs—such as benches made from recycled waste—will invite residents to enjoy the revitalised waterfront.
Downstream, the Kariobangi Wastewater Treatment Plant forms a cornerstone of the plan. Upgraded with advanced A²/O technology, it will treat an additional 60,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily, improving river health and ecosystems. The plant is expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation—welcome relief in a city grappling with chronic unemployment.
The Ecosystem
Beyond environmental goals, the master plan envisions socio-economic transformation. Social and affordable housing is a flagship component, with nearly 10,000 units planned across 14 sites—from Globe Roundabout to Lucky Summer. Designed for low- and middle-income families, these homes will replace flood-prone shanties with dignified, secure housing. Rents will be capped at 30% of monthly income under the Affordable Housing Act to ensure accessibility.
New markets for traders—ranging from community hubs to large centres in Ngara and Gikomba—will accommodate up to 10,000 vendors. These markets, supported by road networks, bridges, and modern waste systems, aim to establish a sustainable urban economy.
Community centres, or River Connect Kiosks, will double as education, social, and administrative hubs—constructed from repurposed shipping containers in a nod to sustainability.
The Dandora Dumpsite—long emblematic of Nairobi’s waste crisis—is slated for transformation. The plan includes pushing it back at least 50 metres from the river, capturing leachate and biogas, relocating waste to a new sanitary landfill, and converting the site into riverfront parks and zones for urban agriculture. At Dandora Falls, a 1954 Memorial Park will feature viewing decks and war sculptures—turning a polluted endpoint into a site of reflection and beauty.
The Dividends
The regeneration is expected to yield substantial economic benefits. Land value capture mechanisms could reinvest gains from property appreciation—projected at up to 30% for river-facing land, based on global case studies—while rezoning and densification will unlock commercial and recreational potential. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs across construction, services, bike rentals, and market trading, fueling both short- and long-term economic growth.
Socially, the dividends are equally significant. Access to clean water will improve public health. Green spaces and parks will foster social cohesion and civic pride. Urban agriculture, enabled by cleaner water, will strengthen food security—especially in fertile downstream areas. Cleaner inflows will also benefit the 80.5-metre-high Thwake Dam, nearing completion, which is expected to supply water, energy, and agriculture support to Makueni, Machakos, and Kajiado counties.
Community engagement is central to the initiative. River Connect Kiosks, supported by the Kenya Revenue Authority and shipping companies, will empower residents to steward the river’s revival. Initiatives like tree nurseries and community cookers will convert waste into income, while public education campaigns will promote sustainable practices.
Resilience
The path to regeneration is fraught with challenges. Nairobi’s rapid population growth—estimated at 5.14% annually—strains infrastructure and resources. Informal settlements, occupying just 6% of land but housing 2.5 million people, complicate urban planning. Climate change, exemplified by El Niño patterns, increases flood risks. And entrenched problems like inadequate sewage coverage—currently at just 23%—and outdated waste systems demand urgent reform.
Sceptics cite past failures, such as manual cleanups that tackled symptoms but not causes. “We’ve seen promises before,” says Peter Kwanya, a Mukuru resident who lost his home to flooding in 2024. “What’s different this time?”
Planners recognise the doubts but stress the depth and scope of the current approach. “This isn’t a quick fix,” says Mumo. “It’s a long-term commitment to systemic change.”
A National Ambition
The revival of the Nairobi River is more than a local clean-up; it is a national test of will, vision, and endurance.
Written by Bob Okello, a Strategic Communications and Sustainability expert based in Nairobi, Kenya working with Ace Global
