DP Gachagua Set to Restore the Sorry State of Nairobi River
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made an announcement today during a meeting with representatives from all 25 United Nations agencies that the famous Nairobi river, located in Kenya's capital city, is set to be cleaned in the coming week.
Leah Mukangai 
Gachagua stated that the government was putting in efforts to clean the river as it had been neglected for a long time. The river is well known to cause environmental pollution to its surroundings, therefore, affecting the serenity of the city.
"We are trying to put up a team and next week that commission will be gazetted," Gachagua stated.
Residents in Nairobi have also for a very long time raised concerns following the pollution caused by the river but no action has been taken.
Gachagua also stated that as the process is set to begin next week, residents living in the area will have to be relocated for ease when cleaning.
"It's a huge undertaking because people have to be relocated but they have to be given an alternative source of livelihood," he stated.
Nairobi River. PHOTO FILE
Gachagua stated that the government would need the support of the UN and UNEP for the project. He also urged the UN agencies to work with the government to make the project a success.
"We will be asking the UN family to mobilize funds, resources, and expertise to help us restore the Nairobi River," he stated.
The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Kenya 2022-26 agencies are ready to collaborate with the Kenya Kwanza administration to implement at least 15 programs. The programs are aimed at children, youth, women, people living in arid and semi-arid areas, and people living in urban informal settlements.
