Kindiki warns against politicising Nairobi River reclamation project

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has warned politicians against politicising the ongoing reclamation, rehabilitation, and regeneration of the Nairobi Rivers riparian reserves.

Speaking after touring the affected areas on Tuesday, Kindiki emphasised the government's commitment to the project, which aims to protect public safety and ensure the city's resilience to climate change.

The CS cautioned against attempts to trivialise the initiative, stating that the recent efforts by some politicians to politicise the project undermine its importance and also protect it from dangers posed by climate change.

"Last weekend's attempts by some politicians to trivialise and politicise the historic project of preserving and protecting the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem undermine the national ideals of providing dignified housing for all citizens and the protection of the public from dangers posed by climate shocks within sensitive ecosystems," Kindiki said.

The Interior CS's remarks were in response to politicians who claimed that the people who were displaced from riparian land have been left suffering, yet some of them owned title deeds for those properties.

During a church service last Sunday, a Nairobi MP claimed that the funds disbursed by the government to help the displaced families only reached a few people.

The legislator alleged that most of those displaced are suffering, calling on the Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua to raise the same in their next cabinet meeting.

Going further, the CS insisted that the government will pursue to the end and without any form of deterrence the national interest of reclamation, rehabilitation, and regeneration of the Nairobi River riparian reserve.

"The historic project of preserving and protecting the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem is not just about the environment. It is about safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of Kenyans," Kindiki said, referencing the deaths and destruction caused by floods earlier this year.

Deadly floods

The heavy rains and flooding, which claimed over 300 lives across the country, also led to the deaths of dozens of Nairobi families who were swept away by raging waters while asleep in structures built along the Nairobi Rivers riparian reserves.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki accompanied by other leaders toured different parts of the Nairobi Rivers in Nairobi on September 10, 2024. (Photo: MINA)

Kindiki pointed out that illegal construction within these reserves worsened the situation.

"The destruction caused by the floods on life, property, and livelihoods was aggravated by the clogging of the Nairobi Rivers by structures illegally constructed within riparian reserves by unscrupulous profiteers," he explained.

In response to the tragedy, the government ordered the removal of all illegal structures and banned any form of business, residence, or activity within the riparian reserves.

"This is an irreversible national security project to protect the public from harm," Kindiki stated, adding that it will also make Nairobi more resilient to future climate shocks such as torrential rains and floods.

Beyond addressing public safety, the project aims to boost security in communities around the Nairobi Rivers by eliminating riverbanks as hideouts for criminals and stopping the sale and use of illicit brews and narcotic drugs in these areas.

The CS noted that the next phase will entail the unclogging, draining, and rehabilitation of natural waterways of the rivers as well as planting of trees and the establishment of recreational facilities under the 'Climate Works Mtaani' program.

"Besides ensuring public safety and climate shock resilience, this important project aims at boosting security for communities living around the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem as well as eliminating the use of riverbanks as inaccessible hideouts for criminals or places for the manufacture, sale and consumption of illicit brews or the peddling of narcotic drugs," Kindiki explained.

The CS added that the 40,000 affected families will be prioritised in the allocation of affordable housing units that are under construction in other parts of the city.