Nairobi River Restoration Project Expands to Employ 50,000 Youth

In a move to restore the Nairobi River Basin and create employment opportunities for young people, the Kenyan government has announced the engagement of an additional 30,000 youth, raising the total participation in the project to 50,000.

This announcement was made by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during a visit to Mukuru Kwa Reuben in Embakasi East Constituency, where he assessed ongoing clean-up and beautification efforts carried out by local youth along the riparian corridor. This initiative is a component of the ClimateWorx programme, launched by President William Ruto in September of last year. The first phase of the project successfully employed 20,000 youth to transform the Nairobi River Basin into a viable economic and recreational space.

During his visit, Murkomen emphasized the importance of community involvement in such projects as a means of delivering services directly to residents while simultaneously generating employment opportunities.
Additionally, Murkomen outlined plans to restructure administrative units in Nairobi County, increasing them from 11 to 17 to correspond with the number of constituencies. This change aims to facilitate greater access to job opportunities for unemployed youth, particularly in recruitment for the police, prisons, and the Kenya Defence Forces.

In his remarks, he cautioned politicians against prematurely campaigning for the 2027 general elections, urging them to focus on enabling the government to fulfil its manifesto. The restoration programme—which prioritizes youth empowerment, environmental conservation, and infrastructure development—has already rehabilitated approximately two kilometres of the river. Future plans include the development of recreational facilities along the restored sections. Following the success of the initial phase, the government is eager to expand the programme further to benefit the projected 50,000 youth.

Murkomen also indicates that the initiative will be extended to other cities, such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret. He reassures that individuals displaced from riparian land will be prioritized in the ongoing affordable housing projects. Furthermore, Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo supports these assertions, noting that valuable insights have been gained from the three-month-old pilot project.

Murkomen's visit was attended by key officials, including Makadara MP George Aladwa, Nairobi Regional Commissioner Katee Mwanza, and several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). The expanded youth engagement initiative is set to redefine Nairobi City, aiming to emulate the successful urban river management practices seen in cities such as London, Washington, and Paris.