1 October 2024, Nairobi. – Urban regeneration is a powerful tool for revitalizing city spaces, fostering sustainable development, and improving the quality of life for urban communities. In Nairobi, the regeneration of the river corridors has become a central focus for addressing pressing urban challenges such as pollution, waste management, and the lack of green public spaces. Through collaborative efforts, including community engagement and international support, these initiatives aim to transform neglected areas into vibrant, safe, and productive environments.
The journey towards a revitalized Nairobi River is not just about environmental restoration but also about empowering local communities, creating opportunities for youth, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the city’s future.
The Nairobi River walk reaffirmed the represented organization’s need to continue the efforts of rehabilitating the river basin to its natural state, it also served as a note taking activity on the progress made this far and the devastating effects of the recent floods.
“Our rivers are more than just waterways; they form part of the life-blood of our cities. They provide sustenance, recreation, and an essential element of our cultural and environmental heritage and structural forms of our cities.” These were the sentiments of Michal Mlynár, Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat during the Nairobi River walk accompanied by H.E. Sebastian Groth, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya, Ambassador Grace Okara, Kenya Permanent Mission to UN-Habitat; Dr. Pamela Olet, Chairperson, Nairobi Rivers Commission; Mr. John Paul Malawi, Director for Environment of the Nairobi City County and several key members of the communitiesy living and working along the Nairobi Rivers Basin.
The Need for Transformation
The Nairobi River Walk was more than just a tour; it was a call to action. It highlighted the resilience of Nairobi’s communities, the potential for urban renewal, and the critical importance of preserving the natural environment in a rapidly urbanizing world. The walk highlighted how the journey towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Nairobi is in motion and gathering at a stronger pace.
The transformative journey of the communities living along the Nairobi River is at the heart of this regeneration effort. These communities have been the most affected by the river’s degradation, facing health risks from pollution, frequent flooding, and the loss of safe public spaces. Yet, they have also been the most resilient, stepping up to lead clean-up efforts, advocate for better waste management, and transform neglected areas into safe, vibrant spaces.
The Nairobi River, once a vital resource for the city is facing the triple planetary crisis of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss. Rapid urban growth, combined with inadequate waste disposal systems and planning, has contributed to the degradation of the river basin. The impacts have included polluted waters, a reduction in biodiversity, increased flooding due to development on natural flood plains, and challenges for communities residing along the riverbanks.
Recent flooding in Nairobi has emphasized the need to address these issues. The severe effects of the floods—such as loss of life, displacement, and property damage—highlight the importance of enhanced urban planning, better management of river ecosystems, and improved resilience to climate-related events. These challenges have led to renewed efforts to develop sustainable solutions that prioritize both environmental conservation and social equity.
The ongoing transformation of the Nairobi River corridor offers a compelling case of both progress and potential for improvement.
Last year, the UN-Habitat launched a community engagement project funded by the German Embassy, to support the regeneration of the Nairobi River. This initiative marked the beginning of a transformational journey for local communities, who have since made significant strides in improving their environment and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Since the project’s inception, community groups have shared inspiring stories of positive change. Komb Green, for example, has been actively involved in river regeneration and urban farming, which has contributed to reducing crime and drug abuse among youth. ETCO, for its part, has focused on waste collection and recycling efforts, creating employment opportunities for young people. KECC has transformed Kamukunji Park into a space for mental rehabilitation, with a youth-led management team dedicated to maintaining the park and fostering a sense of community.
The Nairobi River walk started at John Michuki Memorial Park, a former dumpsite that has been revitalized, showcasing the power of community-driven efforts. It continued along the Globe Roundabout to Grogan Stretch, a bustling hub of activity with heavy traffic, makeshift garages, informal markets, and a significant amount of solid waste and waste water pollution. This area both highlights the economic scope of informal enterprise, but also the need for continued action and support.
Here, the potential for transformation was evident. Ideas such as creating active mobility facilities for pedestrian and cyclist-only promenades, integrating the riverfront into the city’s active urban renewal initiatives, and introducing public art and small eateries to enliven the space were discussed. These ideas reflect a broader vision for turning Nairobi’s rivers as frontages for vibrant, inclusive spaces that serve both people and the environment.
The final leg of the walk took the participants to Kamukunji Grounds, a neighborhood public space that has seen its share of experiences towards transformation, overcoming key challenges. The park offers a key array of hope on community led efforts for sustainability. Once neglected and unsafe, the park has undergone a transformation thanks to the efforts of community organizations like the Kamukunji Environmental Conservation Champions.
Today, Kamukunji Grounds is a safer, more welcoming place, but there is still work to be done. The walk highlighted opportunities for further improvement, such as better connecting the park’s two sections, introducing bike lanes and walkways along the river, and incorporating urban agriculture and public art into the space.
Throughout the walk, the discussions underscored the urgent need for sustainable urban planning and river ecosystem management, strongly founded on the involvement of communities within the river ecosystem. Strong partnerships, acting together in a coordinated approach, sharing of common vision, high level of political leadership backing forms key building blocks and necessary adhesive for success of any initiatives and subsequent sustainability.
The recent devastating flooding in Nairobi have had severe consequences, including loss of life and significant property damage. The effects of climate change, inadequate drainage systems and rapid urbanization are making flooding more likely. The walk served as a reminder that finding balanced solutions that address both environmental concerns and social equity is crucial for Nairobi’s future. UN-Habitat remains committed to doing its best to provide technical support to the government in order to realize such sustainable solutions.
The campaigns such as Nairobi River Walk reaffirm the power of collaboration—between governments, international organizations, and local communities—to bring about meaningful change. As the tree planting session took place to cap the event was a moment to re-proclaim the Nairobi Rivers Commission Mantra “Let The Rivers Flow” .
However, to achieve the ambitious goals of urban regeneration such as Nairobi River Basin more time and resources are needed. Sustainable transformation requires long-term commitment, continuous community engagement, and adequate funding to ensure that the initiatives begun today continue to flourish in the future.
The German-funded project plays a crucial role in this effort, providing essential financial support and expertise to drive these transformative initiatives. Through this partnership, key areas such as pollution control, ecosystem restoration, and community capacity building are being targeted to restore the health of the Nairobi River. We greatly appreciate the proactive role the German Embassy has taken in these efforts and its openness to further walks on other stretches of the river.
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As we reflect on these successes, it is crucial to build on the momentum and further support the sustainable development of the Nairobi River basin. The call to action from the Ambassador of Germany, along with leaders from NRC, KPM, and DED, underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in providing technical support to the government. Together, we can develop sustainable plans, frameworks, and technical capacity to make informed decisions that will transform the river basin for the benefit of all.
More photos in UN-Habitat’s Flickr Album
