Ruto Moves To Clean Up Nairobi River
The Head of State was echoing the sentiments of his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua...
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto has announced plans to clean up the Nairobi River after years of neglect that have turned it into a river filled with sewage.
Speaking at Tatu City Special Economic Zone for the official opening of the Twiga foods distribution Centre on Monday, November 28, Ruto indicated that he will appoint a commission that will be tasked with comprehensively dealing with the menacing filth across the city rivers.
He added that the Nairobi River Commission would be formed on Friday, December 2 in an effort to restore the river to a pleasant state that would suit residents of the city.
"We will shortly, in fact by this Friday, be appointing the Nairobi River commission to sort out the filth in our rivers.
Former Environment CS Keriako Tobiko when he led his ministry and National Environment Management Authority officials in cleaning up the Nairobi River around the Michuki Memorial Park. /PEOPLE DAILY
"If you look at our rivers in Nairobi, it is a sad story and I want to assure the residents of Nairobi as I do the rest of the country that we will make Nairobi River what it should be; a place that people can enjoy, a place where enterprises can grow and we will get rid of the sewage and all the other effluents that are going into the city rivers," he said.
The Head of State was echoing the sentiments of his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who hinted at plans by the Kenya Kwanza government to set up the commission that would clean the rivers.
“We are working on the Nairobi River Commission. We are putting up a team with terms of reference. By next week, that Commission will be gazetted,” he said when he met representatives of the 25 United Nations agencies resident in Kenya at his office in Nairobi on Thursday, November 24.
"It is a huge undertaking in matters of cleaning the river and settlement because people have to be relocated, but have to be given alternative sources of livelihood."
He urged the UN agencies to provide support to the government by being involved in the commission and partnering with them in restoring the river.
Regarding Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja's crackdown on Nairobi clubs operating in estates, the President was in support of the move as a way of ensuring that Nairobi upholds the standards of a capital city.
"To Governor Sakaja, keep the noise away from our children. You have our support in ensuring that we reorganize the city. Ensure that the Standards of Nairobi are the Standards of the Capital City of Kenya," the President said.
“I know I have discussed with you this before and you have my support in ensuring we reorganise the city and make it work for all the residents."
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja with police officers before the crackdown on Nairobi clubs on November 27, 2022. /TWITTER.SAKAJA JOHNSON
