President William Ruto has nominated former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu Babayao, who was impeached from government, to the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Dr. Pamela A. Olet will serve as the chair of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, which President William Ruto established. Other members include Dr. Mumo Musuva, a representative of Nairobi City County, and Ms. Grace Senewa Mesopirr, who represents the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Other members are Dr. Duncan Ojwang, who represents academia, Ms. Eva Muhia, who represents riverine communities, Ms. Elizabeth Wathuti, who represents civil society, Ms. Carlota Dal Lago, who represents the private sector, and Prof. Eng. Elijah Biama, who represents academia.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission has been given the mandate 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,” according to a Gazette Notice dated December 2, 2022, which was signed by President Ruto.
The panel will review earlier reports and suggestions made to restore the Nairobi River and incorporate any lessons learned into the present endeavor.
The 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) are mentioned in the Gazette Notice, and they are all meant to be specifically compared to the new initiative to incorporate the lessons learned.
The terms of office for the Commission members are three years, renewed once based on performance.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission shall be funded by donations in addition to funds granted for the Commission’s use by the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government, as stated in the Gazette Notice.
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