President William Ruto has vowed to rid Nairobi of what he called “a city in filth,” promising a major clean-up and infrastructure overhaul for the capital.
Speaking at the Africa Inland Church Ziwani’s 70th anniversary on Sunday, Dr Ruto said he had agreed with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to embark on an ambitious plan to restore the city’s dignity.
“Nairobi cannot continue to be a city in the filth,” the President said. “We have started cleaning the Nairobi River and are in the final stages of signing an agreement with the private sector on how we are going to clean this city.”
He added that both the national and county governments would work together to restore order to the capital, long criticised for poor waste management and inadequate drainage.
Ruto said the plan would go beyond waste management to include better lighting, improved roads, and enhanced security.
“We must not have mud along our roads,” he said. “This city will have streetlights so that we make sure Nairobi is clean, becomes motorable and a city in the light, not in darkness.”
The President emphasised that the national government would allocate resources to ensure the plan succeeds.
Nairobi’s Growing Pains
Nairobi, home to one of Africa’s largest metropolitan population, has struggled for years with poor waste disposal, traffic congestion, and deteriorating infrastructure. The city’s drainage system often collapses during heavy rains, leaving major roads flooded and residents stranded.
Ruto’s remarks appear to be both a call for cooperation and a signal that the national government is taking a more hands-on role in the capital’s affairs.
The President also linked the clean-up campaign to his long-term vision for national development, saying he believes Kenya can become a “first-world country” by 2055.
“In the next 30 years, Kenya will move from being a third-world country and will become a first-world country,” Ruto said. “By the effort of our hands and the unity of our people, we will move this nation forward.”
He added that he had been consulting leaders across the political spectrum, including opposition leader Raila Odinga, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and KANU chairman Gideon Moi, on how to build a united front for development.
The President’s assurances come amid growing public impatience over Nairobi’s state of disrepair. Residents have repeatedly voiced frustration over potholes, garbage heaps, and unreliable services, calling for urgent action.
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