No evictions planned in Nairobi River renewal, commission assures locals

Residents living along the Nairobi River have been assured that they will not face evictions as part of an ambitious project to revitalise and beautify the river corridor.

The Nairobi River Corridor Special Planning Area (SPA), officially announced in March by Nairobi City County, stretches from Naivasha Road to Ruai and includes all tributaries feeding into the river.

The project is scheduled for completion by 2027.

Architect Mumo Musuva, who serves as the vice-chairman of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, explained that the main goal is to promote urban renewal while respecting the dignity of local communities.

"Let me be clear: this is not about demolitions or evictions," Musuva said during an interview with the Star.

Musuva added that residents currently living within the 30-metre riparian buffer zone will be supported to relocate to newly constructed affordable housing projects nearby.

He confirmed that these residents would be given the first opportunity to own the new homes.

For landlords operating within the extended 30-metre development zone, Musuva said efforts would be made to help them improve and increase the value of their properties, especially those facing the upgraded riverfront.

The project, which seeks to widen the river and beautify its surroundings, will also involve constructing a 54-kilometre sewer line on both sides of the river.

Additional plans include setting up new markets and building social housing within the development zone, aiming to provide modern amenities for the surrounding communities.

According to a notice issued last month by Environment CEC Patrick Mbogo, the designated Nairobi River Corridor Special Planning Area will cover a total 60-metre buffer zone beyond the high-water mark on either side of the river.

This will comprise a 30-metre riparian corridor plus an additional 30-metre development area, ensuring enough space for both environmental protection and human settlement improvements.

Musuva emphasised that the SPA designation has launched a careful, structured, and participatory planning process expected to run for two years.

"The SPA process ensures all affected individuals are treated respectfully, and solutions are applied fairly while upholding rights to safe and sustainable living environments," an SPA fact sheet states.

He also pointed out that the revitalisation project is not only about cleaning the river but also about transforming it into a lively, accessible, and beautiful space for Nairobi residents.

"Our vision is to transform the Nairobi River into a vibrant corridor, where you can walk from the city centre all the way to Eastleigh malls briskly along a scenic riverfront walkway," Musuva said.

He described the broader vision as one aimed at creating healthy, safe, and green public spaces that would uplift the entire city.

Musuva compared the Nairobi River project to the successful rehabilitation of the John Michuki Memorial Park, which turned a once heavily polluted section of the river into a clean and vibrant public space.

By focusing on sustainable urban renewal without displacing the communities who have long called the riverbanks home, the Nairobi River Corridor project seeks to set a new standard for environmentally sensitive and community-centred development in Nairobi.