Ruto applauds progress of Nairobi River clean-up, promises city transformation

President William Ruto has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Nairobi River clean-up.

During an inspection tour of the two 27km sewer lines being constructed on both sides of the Nairobi River, the President said the project would give the capital city a much-needed facelift and improve the quality of life for residents.

“It is not right for millions of people in this city to continue living in squalor. That is why we have dedicated sufficient resources to rehabilitate this river,” he said on Wednesday.

Those present included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, MPs Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), George Aladwa (Makadara), and Esther Passaris (Woman Representative).

Others were Nominated Senators Karen Nyamu and Tabitha Mutinda.

He said 45,000 young people are engaged in the river clean-up under the ClimateWorx Mtaani initiative, which has created tens of thousands of jobs.

The President began the tour of the river corridor by inspecting the construction of a sewer line at Lucky Summer in Ruaraka Constituency.

He said construction of 44 bridges along the 27km stretch of the river would commence soon, marking another milestone in efforts to regenerate not just the Nairobi River but the entire river basin.

At the same time, President Ruto assessed work to clean up the Ngomongo Quarry dumpsite in Ruaraka Constituency, an eyesore he said would soon disappear.

The President assured youth engaged in economic activities at the dumpsite that they would not lose their source of livelihood due to the clean-up.

“I want to assure all of you who earn a living from this dumpsite that you will not lose your source of livelihood. If anything, we will enhance it,” he said.

He explained that the National Government is currently building 110,000 affordable housing units in Nairobi which, he said, are providing residents with decent housing while also creating job opportunities for young people.

He added that the KSh80 billion cooperation agreement signed between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government on Tuesday is aimed at hastening service delivery to Nairobi residents.

He assured Kenyans that county functions have not been transferred to the National Government.

“I already have enough work running the National Government. My interest is to ensure that we deliver to the people of this city as expected of us,” he said.

Governor Sakaja said the deal will unlock more resources required to make Nairobi a modern metropolis.

“You elected me as your governor, and I must do everything possible to raise standards. I had an annual budget of KSh40 billion; now it will more than double,” he said.

Addressing residents at Dandora Bridge, President Ruto emphasised that residents would not be forcefully evicted from the river corridor without being offered alternative settlement by the government.

He added that the government will build social amenities such as schools, social halls, playgrounds, and libraries.

President Ruto said KSh1.5 billion has been allocated for transformers and last-mile electricity connections in informal settlements.

Furthermore, he said the government has allocated KSh13 billion to expand the road network in the city, including the construction of 200km of roads across all wards.

Pointing out that the National Government is building 16 modern markets in Nairobi County, President Ruto said construction of a KSh5 billion Gikomba Market would begin soon.

In Kamukunji Constituency, he inspected progress at Kamukunji Community Park, which is being rehabilitated as part of the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme.

The President challenged his political competitors to share their vision for the country instead of perpetuating empty slogans and ethnic divisions.

“We have a track record of what we have done. We can account for our presence. We have a plan, an agenda, and a programme for the future. Sadly, our competitors have no vision, no plan, and no programme,” he said