Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has reaffirmed his commitment to the Nairobi River regeneration programme, saying the county will continue clearing rivers and reclaiming riparian land despite resistance.
“Even if it is a problem of 130 years, we shall address it. We must make tough decisions,” he stated.
Sakaja urged residents living along riverbanks to relocate voluntarily to pave the way for both environmental restoration and modern infrastructure. He revealed plans for a modern market in Gikomba aimed at improving livelihoods while reducing flood risks.
“We have lost so many people and property, but we shall never go there again. We are saving a generation,” he said.
The Governor also raised alarm over a reported risk at Nairobi Dam, saying he had received information from the Water Resources Authority indicating the dam is “full to the brim.” He warned that a potential breach could have devastating consequences and urged residents living nearby to evacuate immediately.
“This is not a time for politics. Those inciting people must understand that saving lives comes first,” Sakaja said.
He further noted that the county goverment is investing in long-term drainage and sewer upgrades designed to serve the city for the next 50 years. However, he maintained that immediate action including forced relocations if necessary, will be taken to safeguard lives.
“For those living along riverways, please move. If need be, they will be moved,” he warned.
The Governor defended ongoing evictions and river clearance operations, citing over a century of historical warnings about the city’s vulnerability to flooding. Speaking during a church service at Pefa in Gikomba, he said leadership demands confronting both present challenges and long-standing structural risks.
Sakaja traced Nairobi’s flood problems back to the early 1900s, noting that colonial administrators had raised concerns about the city’s location on a swampy floodplain. He referenced a 1906 letter by Sir James Sandler to Winston Churchill questioning Nairobi’s suitability as a capital, as well as later recommendations by Sir Charles Eliot and Dr. Macdonald warning of persistent flood risks.
He added that the 1928 Nairobi master plan had already identified key rivers including Mathare, Ngong, and Nairobi rivers and proposed buffer zones, which were unevenly implemented.
“The less privileged were left in low-lying areas while the elite occupied higher grounds like Karen, Muthaiga, and Lavington,” Sakaja said, adding that the current administration is determined to correct what he described as a 130-year problem.
