30,000 more youth to join Nairobi River restoration programme
Murkomen emphasised the need for Nairobi to emulate major global cities such as London, Washington, and Paris, where rivers running through urban areas remain clean and well-maintained.
To tackle environmental pollution and youth unemployment, the government is set to enlist 30,000 more young people in the Nairobi River restoration programme, bringing the total workforce to 50,000.
The initiative, which is part of the Climate Worx programme launched by President William Ruto in September last year, has already seen 20,000 youth involved in rehabilitating the river and transforming it into an economic and recreational hub.
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Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed the expansion during an inspection tour of the riparian corridor in Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Embakasi East Constituency.
Murkomen emphasised the need for Nairobi to emulate major global cities such as London, Washington, and Paris, where rivers running through urban areas remain clean and well-maintained.
"At least two kilometres of the river have been successfully rehabilitated, pending the development of recreational facilities," he said.
He noted that the success of the first phase had prompted the government to expand the programme, creating opportunities for more unemployed youth.
Additionally, he announced plans to roll out similar initiatives in other cities, including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret, to provide jobs and promote environmental conservation.
The government also intends to prioritise individuals displaced from riparian land in the ongoing affordable housing project.
"The government's priority, when the affordable housing project is complete, is that those who were living on riparian land will be given top priority," Murkomen added.
In a bid to improve service delivery, the CS disclosed that the number of administrative units in Nairobi will increase from 11 to 17 to align with the county's constituencies.
He explained that the move would allow local youth better access to opportunities such as recruitment into the police, prisons, and Kenya Defence Forces.
"When there are recruitments for the police and the military, all Nairobi residents are sent to City Stadium. With so many constituencies, you do not get the chances you would have if you had an administrative unit here. There are 17 constituencies here, and every constituency should have a sub-county. I assure you these new sub-counties will be gazetted in the next three months," Murkomen said.
The CS also took a swipe at politicians who have begun early campaigns for the 2027 general elections, accusing them of distracting the government from delivering on its promises.
"We cannot finish an election and immediately start preparing for another election to remove those in office. The government must be allowed to deliver its manifesto," he said.
Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo affirmed that the programme would be extended to other regions based on the lessons learned from the Nairobi pilot project.
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"We have learned a lot based on the outcome of this pilot project. This programme has been running for three months," he said.
"When we extend the same to the remaining 46 counties..."
Murkomen and Omollo were accompanied by Makadara MP George Aladwa, Nairobi Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza, and several Members of the County Assembly.
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