President Ruto Appoints Former Kiambu Governor Waititu to Nairobi Rivers Commission

President Ruto has appointed former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu as a member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

Waititu, who was impeached from office in 2020 over graft-related charges, will be part of the nine-member commission tasked with coming up with initiatives for the protection, restoration, rehabilitation, beautification, and sustainable development of the riverine basin within Nairobi City County.

The commission is chaired by Dr. Pamela A. Olet with other members being Mumo Musuva (a representative from Nairobi city county) and Grace Senewa Mesopirr (representing the Ministry of Environment and Forestry).

Other members include Eva Muhia (representing riverine communities), Elizabeth Wathuti (representing civil society), Carlota Dal Lago (representing the private sector), Elijah Biama (representing academia), and Duncan Ojwang (representing academia).

In a gazette notice dated December 2nd, Ruto said the commission has been tasked to “reclaim the rivers of Nairobi as a spine to the city’s blue and green infrastructure for a better urban environment and quality of life.”

In addition, the team will examine previous reports and recommendations made to reclaim the Nairobi River and adopt lessons learnt in the new initiative.

“In particular reference to Nairobi River Basin Project (UNEP, 2000); Adopt-A-River Initiative (UNEP and Rotary Clubs, 2019–ongoing), Nairobi River Regeneration Initiative (UN-Habitat and GoK, 2020– ongoing); and Urban Rivers Regeneration Programme (NEMA, 2019 – 2024) and incorporate the lessons to the new initiative,” reads the Gazette Notice.

Other roles of the commission include monitoring compliance with the laws and regulations governing the environment of the Basin and its catchment areas as well as developing codes of conduct and proposing modalities for enforcement in partnership with the relevant stakeholders.

Members of the commission will serve for a three-year renewable once based on performance.

Ruto said the commission shall be financed through funding appropriated for the Commission’s use by the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government as well as donations.