Sakaja Cabinet Endorses Continued Rollout of Sh50 Billion Nairobi River Regeneration Programme

Nairobi County's Cabinet, chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja, has approved continued execution of the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, a Sh50 billion initiative to rehabilitate the capital's heavily polluted waterways. The decision came during a meeting on February 6, 2026, where the Cabinet reviewed progress since the project's launch in 2025 and directed county departments to accelerate approvals and enforcement.

The programme targets transformation of the Nairobi River and its tributaries from open sewers and dumping sites into functional community spaces. Key infrastructure works completed so far include a 60-kilometre trunk sewer line, described as the first major sewer upgrade in decades. Riverbank stabilisation has been carried out along vulnerable stretches, storm-water drainage systems expanded, and remediation started at the Dandora dumpsite to reduce leachate flowing into the river. These steps have already cut foul odours, lowered pest levels and allowed some birdlife to return in affected sections.

Sakaja described the effort as focused on both environmental recovery and human needs. “This regeneration is about people as much as it is about the environment – safer homes, better markets and decent livelihoods for our communities,” he said. He added that a clean river represents “a lifeline for public health, jobs and the dignity of our city,” positioning it as a foundation for green growth.

The project designates a 60-metre riparian corridor as a Special Planning Area, enabling structured development rather than blanket evictions. Plans include green riverfront parks, pedestrian walkways, cycling lanes and modern markets to accommodate up to 20,000 informal traders. Affordable housing components and flood-mitigation wetlands are also incorporated. The Cabinet stressed public participation in the corridor's planning, with social and environmental impact assessments guiding any relocations and commitments to nearby, dignified housing alternatives.

Enforcement measures will target illegal structures encroaching on the river and sources of ongoing pollution. Transition support for displaced residents and traders includes alternative trading spaces and job training. The programme remains on schedule for completion by January 2027.

Over 40,000 youth jobs have been created through cleanup activities and construction roles. The scale of works involves significant civil engineering, including sewer laying, embankment reinforcement, drainage upgrades and site remediation at Dandora. These elements require heavy earth-moving, concrete works, piping installation and environmental controls to manage sediment and runoff during construction.

The Nairobi River has long symbolised urban neglect in the capital, carrying untreated sewage, solid waste and industrial effluent through densely populated informal settlements and commercial zones. Flooding during heavy rains exacerbates health risks and property damage. The regeneration programme builds on earlier national and county attempts to address the basin's degradation, though this iteration stands out for its integrated urban renewal approach and substantial budget allocation.

The Cabinet's endorsement directs departments to fast-track project-related permits and strengthen compliance monitoring. No new funding commitments were announced in the meeting, with the Sh50 billion figure tied to the overall programme envelope.

For the construction industry, the initiative sustains demand for specialised infrastructure skills in sewerage, flood control and public realm works. Local contractors have been involved in early phases, and continued rollout could extend opportunities in earthworks, hydraulic structures and landscape development along the corridor.