Nairobi River regeneration plan at risk as fresh concerns emerge
By Faith Lagat, June 16, 2026Members of Parliament from the National Assembly’s Department Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining met petitioners from Kangemi and Dagoretti over claims of inadequate consultation in the Nairobi Rivers Basin development and regeneration plans.
The petitioners, led by Joseph Ngure and Mugo Gichenga, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, said they are lawful freehold landowners whose families have occupied land bordering the Nairobi Stream and its tributaries since 1959.
They argued that the planning phase did not sufficiently involve affected residents and raised concerns over potential displacement linked to dredging works and boundary enforcement.
They expressed fears over implementation procedures affecting private land and called for suspension of project activities impacting riparian areas, no demolitions or evictions without due process, and adherence to legally established boundaries.
“We have proof that we are the original owners of the land,” Mugo Gichenga told MPs. “The only challenge is that several subdivisions have been done. We seek your intervention to stop this process until we are sufficiently heard and an amicable way forward is reached.”
Parliamentary committee raises concerns
Committee members questioned the petitioners on prior engagement with regulatory agencies and land verification processes.
Beatrice Kemei inquired whether the petitioners had engaged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), while Leo Wamuthende emphasised the need for proper consultation on ownership verification and possible compensation mechanisms. Committee Vice Chairperson Hon. Charles Kamuren stated that the committee would undertake further consultations with relevant institutions.
“We shall write to NLC, Institute of Surveyors of Kenya, NEMA, Water Resources Authority, Nairobi River Commission, the Principal Secretary, and the local administration… before we undertake an inspection visit,”
Flood control efforts
The deliberations come amid ongoing urban flood mitigation efforts in Nairobi. County authorities have been implementing measures to address encroachment on waterways and drainage channels contributing to flooding during heavy rainfall seasons. In March 2026, Governor Johnson Sakaja announced county-led demolitions of structures along waterways as part of restoration efforts.
“We will demolish all the structures along the waterways starting this week,” Sakaja said.
In April 2026, the Athi Water Works Development Agency temporarily shut down the Northern Collector Tunnel 1 system for upgrades, leading to water supply interruptions in several parts of Nairobi including Dagoretti, Kawangware, Karen, and Lang’ata.
The parliamentary committee indicated that forthcoming inspections and stakeholder engagements may inform the next phase of the Nairobi Rivers Basin regeneration programme.
Further engagement processes are expected to involve county officials, national agencies, land survey professionals, and community representatives to verify riparian boundaries and property claims.
The committee’s inquiry is also expected to review environmental compliance documentation, historical land records, and project design approvals linked to the Nairobi Rivers Basin regeneration initiative.
Outcomes of the inspections may guide implementation timelines, compensation considerations, and enforcement measures across affected settlements within Nairobi County Kenya overall.