Nairobi River Basin Programme (NRBP)

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, River rehabilitation/ restoration, Upper watershed restoration and management, Restoration of riparian vegetation, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Soil remediation and revegetation, Remediation activities of sites with very poor environmental quality, Restoration and protection of ecosystems (including water ecosystems), Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Scientific research of biodiversity or ecosystems

The objectives of the Nairobi River Basin Programme (NRBP) are to rehabilitate, restore, and manage the Nairobi River ecosystem. The goal is to provide improved livelihoods, particularly for the poor, enhance biodiversity, and ensure a sustainable supply of water for domestic, industrial, recreational, and emergency uses (Ref 5). Phase 2 of the NRBP includes a ten-point strategy (Ref 4): Raise awareness through public forums and assess the social impacts of the restoration efforts. Survey and delineate the riparian reserve. Stop illegal discharges into the river. Complete the 2.5 km demonstration stretch of the river restoration project. Relocate economic activities and informal settlements that negatively impact the river. Develop and implement an integrated solid waste management system. Rehabilitate the Nairobi Dam. Repair and install sewerage infrastructure and other associated systems. Develop a Master Plan for the sustainable economic use of the riparian zone. Landscaping and beautification of the riparian zone through tree planting and soil erosion control.

1) Conducting comprehensive investigation on the biological components of the three main tributaries of the Nairobi Rivers and Reservoirs (Ref 4); 2) Clearing waste and debris from the Nairobi River, co-implemented by the government and the UNEP (Ref 1, 3); 3) Replanting indigenous trees and flora along the riverbanks thus controlling soil erosion and filtering pollutants from entering the river were accomplished (ibid.); 4000 tree seedlings planted in the upper catchments (Ref 4); 4) Rehabilitation of 2.5km demo stretch from Museum Hill to Globe Cinema; Removal of 6000 tons of solid waste at the Demo stretch (ibid.); 5) Process of on-going stoppage of 367 illegal discharges that were identified (ibid.); 6) Repairing and installing sewerage and associated infrastructure undertaken (ibid.); 7) Delineation of a 30-metre riparian reserve on Ngong River, the branch that leaves the dam (Ref 4, 6); 8) Land for transfer station at Kariobangi are surveyed and fencing on-going; 3 main abandoned quarries identified for alternative land filling prior construction a sanitary land fill; Land construction a sanitary land fill identified at Ruai (Ref 4); 9) On-going land acquisition for relocating 130,000 people for plan to demolish 16,046 structures; Population census and business along the riparian reserve undertaken (Ref 6); 10) Six public awareness forums on the importance of the program held, rallying communities to take part in clean-ups and promoting cleaner production (Ref 4, 6).

Riverfront communities

• National-level government
• Local government/Municipality
• Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
• Non-government organisation/Civil Society
• Private sector/Corporate/Company
• Researchers/University
• Citizens or community groups