While the Nairobi River regeneration project was billed as a groundbreaking blue economy investment to revitalise the polluted waterway and create jobs, a new report by Nema warns the ongoing work could negatively impact neighbouring slum communities.
In addition to population displacement, Nema raises concerns over risks such as oil and paint leaks into the river, which could harm aquatic life, besides the fact that it could have unintended negative effects on nearby informal settlements.The authority said that for the Sh40 billion initiative to benefit local communities, sufficient investment and safeguards are essential.
The project, a flagship initiative led by President William Ruto, involves dredging rivers, expanding riverbanks, upgrading sewage treatment plants and landscaping to restore Nairobi’s rivers.
The assessment is contained in the authority’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) notice released on Monday. The report sets the project’s expected completion date for 2027.
The public is expected to submit their feedback on the project in light of the report for 30 days before approval is granted.
Comments can be submitted under reference number NEMA/EIA/5/2/2345.
A key part of the project is the expansion of the Kariobangi sewage treatment plant, adding a daily capacity of 60,000 cubic metres. The Kirichwa West plant will also be upgraded to support increased sewage processing.
These improvements are designed to boost Nairobi’s waste management system, reduce flooding and stabilise eroding riverbanks along the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers.
However, Nema warns that if poorly implemented, the project may bring unintended harm to communities.
The agency cites “soil erosion and sedimentation” as potential risks during dredging and warns that “improper connectivity, dredging and riverbank widening” could worsen downstream flooding and cause sediment buildup.
Air and noise pollution are also highlighted, with nearby communities expected to suffer from dust, machine exhaust and unpleasant odours.
To counter these effects, Nema recommends frequent watering of exposed soils and banning vehicle engine idling during work hours to minimise emissions.
The report also flags hazardous material spills—such as oil, paints or sewage—that could reach storm drains or rivers if containment protocols fail.
To mitigate this, Nema requires all waste storage sites to be secure and bunded, with spill response kits available at every construction zone.
A major social concern is the potential relocation of residents. The EIA proposes a 30-metre riparian buffer zone along rivers, which could displace households currently settled in these areas.
Neighbourhoods surrounding the Kariobangi treatment plant—such as Kariobangi North, Dandora, Baba Dogo and Mathare—are likely to bear the brunt of the impact.
Though the upgrades aim to relieve pressure on aging sewage systems, the expanded riverbanks raise fears of forced evictions in informal settlements.
More affluent areas—Kileleshwa, Riverside, Kilimani and Upper Hill—will also be affected by the Kirichwa West upgrade, as the current plant struggles to meet demand in these locations.
In 2024, the government promised no resident would be evicted without fair compensation. Whether that commitment will be upheld in this new phase of the project remains unclear.
To reduce disruption, Nema recommends staggered construction to “minimise simultaneous access blockages in the same locality”.
The agency has also instructed the Ministry of Defence, which is participating in the works, to prevent any direct discharge of waste into the rivers and to ensure strict adherence to waste management procedures.
Source: The Star
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