President William Ruto has renewed the Government’s push to transform the capital through the Climate WorX Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme, urging leaders and residents to focus on development rather than politics. Speaking on Wednesday, February 18 during a launch event in Lucky Summer, the President defended the cooperation framework between the National Government and Nairobi City County Government, saying it is designed to accelerate service delivery and urban renewal.
Ruto dismissed claims that Nairobi had been placed under National Government control, insisting the partnership is purely collaborative. He emphasized that the County Government remains in charge of oversight, with the National Government offering resources and institutional support to fast-track projects aimed at restoring the city’s infrastructure and environmental outlook.
The President framed the cooperation as a practical response to Nairobi’s urban challenges, noting that the capital must be upgraded to match the standards of other global cities. He stressed that the joint approach will allow faster implementation of roads, drainage systems, sewer upgrades and environmental restoration works across the city.
Among the key commitments announced is an ambitious KSh13 billion road construction plan intended to modernize transport networks and improve mobility. Ruto also pledged the installation of 50,000 floodlights to enhance safety and security, alongside the construction of 44 pedestrian bridges along the Nairobi River to improve accessibility and protect residents in flood-prone zones.
A central pillar of the Climate WorX initiative is employment creation, with the President noting that more than 45,000 young people are already benefiting from cleanup and regeneration activities linked to river restoration. The programme combines environmental works with labour-intensive public projects, positioning it as both an ecological intervention and a youth empowerment strategy.
The broader Nairobi River Regeneration Project, valued at about Sh50 billion and launched in March 2025, includes major infrastructure such as a 60-kilometre trunk sewer line, expanded wastewater treatment plants and new public green spaces along the river corridor. Officials say these investments will drastically reduce sewage discharge, toxic dumping and pollution that have long defined the river’s condition.
Authorities add that beyond environmental gains, the project is expected to deliver long-term public health benefits by lowering the risk of water-borne diseases and improving sanitation in surrounding communities. The transformation of the river into a cleaner and safer public space is also projected to enhance Nairobi’s attractiveness for business, tourism and urban living.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja echoed the President’s remarks, urging residents to support the cooperation between the two levels of government. He rejected suggestions that he had surrendered his mandate, saying the partnership is focused on delivering cleaner streets, improved infrastructure, better schools and stronger healthcare services for Nairobians.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi reinforced the unity message, warning that Nairobi cannot afford to lag behind other rapidly modernizing cities. Together, leaders described the Climate WorX Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme as a multi-sector urban renewal effort that combines environmental restoration, infrastructure expansion and mass youth employment—an initiative they say will redefine the capital’s image and competitiveness in the years ahead.
