Ruto Appoints Millicent Omanga, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru To Govt Jobs

President William Ruto has appointed Bishop Margaret Wanjiru and former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga for positions in the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

Per a Gazette notice dated October 25, 2024, Bishop Wanjiru will serve as the Chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, with Omanga set to serve as a member of the Commission.

“NOW THEREFORE, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the Constitution and the Laws of the Republic of Kenya do hereby establish the Nairobi Rivers Commission,” reads part of the notice.

Other members include Dr. Mumo Musuva, Grace Senewa Mesopirr, John Kioli, Eva Muhia, Amos Chege Mugo, Carlotta Dalago, Rael Chebichii Lelei, Benjamin Langwen, and Charles Karisa Dadu.

President William Ruto speaking at Nairobi River on September 12, 2024. /PCS

According to the Head of State, members of the Commission shall hold office for a term of three years renewable once based on performance.

Following the appointments, President Ruto noted that the Nairobi Rivers Commission shall include Principal Secretaries from several State Departments within the Ministries of Environment, Water, Lands, and Internal Security and National Administration.

“The Secretariat of the Commission shall be domiciled at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, which shall assist in the day-to-day management of its affairs,” adds the notice.

Terms Of Reference

The Margaret Wanjiru-led commission will be tasked with reclaiming the rivers of Nairobi as a spine to the city's blue and green infrastructure for a better urban environment and quality of life;

It will also examine previous reports and recommendations made in the efforts of reclaiming the Nairobi River and adopt lessons learnt in the new initiative. "In particular reference to Nairobi River Basin Project (UNEP, 2000); Adopt-A-River Initiative (UNEP and Rotary Clubs, 2019-ongoing), Nairobi - River Regeneration - Initiative (UN-Habitat and GoK, 2020- ongoing); and Urban Rivers Regeneration Programme (NEMA, 2019-2024) and incorporate the lessons to the new initiative," adds the notice.

The Commission will also assess the Rivers related to the current and future issues and their root causes and develop a programme called the Nairobi Rivers Basin Regeneration Programme (NABREP) to restore and enhance the Nairobi Basin and related infrastructure to such standards as permits the full enjoyment of a safe, inclusive and healthy environment for all and unlock the socio-economic potential of the Basin.

Furthermore, it will coordinate the activities of various players mandated to engage -in the rehabilitation, protection, restoration, beautification and sustainable development of the riverine basin within Nairobi City County towards transforming the Nairobi rivers system into a new economic and retail frontier of the city.

The commission will also promote public awareness of sustainable protection of the Nairobi Rivers basin and enhance public participation in its restoration, as well as perform such other functions as may be necessary and incidental to the realization of the objectives aforenamed.

Environment CS Aden Duale, on October 10, 2024, inspects a section of the Nairobi River that passes through the Nairobi Arboretum. /ADEN DUALE