Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alice Wahome has issued a notice to landlords, tenants, and property owners along Nairobi’s river corridors ahead of a major eviction.
In a notice published on December 12, CS Alice Wahome announced that the exercise will cover the Nairobi, Ngong, and Mathare Rivers, as well as the Miotoni, Mokoyeti, Mbagathi, Ruaka, Gethathuru, and Kibagare rivers and their tributaries.
“Pursuant to the Cabinet Memorandum-Issue No. 6 of 2024, dated 30th April 2024, the Public is hereby notified of the commencement of activities to complete the demarcation and harmonization of riparian reserves along the Nairobi Rivers Corridors (Nairobi, Matharo, Ngong, Miotoni, Mokoyeti, Mbagathi, Ruaka, Gethathuru, Kibagare rivers and their tributarles) right from their sources,” read the notice.
The demarcation exercise is scheduled to begin on December 22, 2025.
CS Alice Wahome Issues Notice to Landlords, Tenants, and Property Owners
The exercise will be led by the Director of Physical Planning and the Director of Surveys from the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning.
It will also involve the State Department for Interior and National Coordination, the Water Resource Authority (WRA), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Nairobi City County Government, and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Property owners and occupants along the river corridors are urged to grant authorized officers access for surveys, inspections, and demarcation activities.
They may also be requested to submit ownership documents, including title deeds, survey plans, development approvals, and riparian clearances, within 14 days of such requests.
Also Read: Sakaja Announces Six-Month Waiver for Nairobi Property Owners And Developers
CS Alice Wahome has warned that any illegal, unpermitted developments, encroachments, or incompatible land uses within the riparian reserves, wetlands, and springs will be removed in accordance with the law, ensuring due process, public participation, and respect for the rights of affected parties.
The exercise aims to protect and sustainably manage Nairobi’s rivers, wetlands, and springs in line with national legislation and environmental conservation standards.
Also Read: Unpacking Nairobi River Regeneration Project and How it Will Tackle Waste & Flooding
Sakaja Speaks on Areas That Risk Eviction to Pave the Way for Nairobi River Regeneration
In November 14, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja outlined measures his administration plans to implement ahead of the planned eviction of the Korogocho community, which resides along the Nairobi River Corridor, following its declaration as a Special Planning Area.
He assured the Committee that, as of the latest site inspection, no demolitions or survey pegging had been conducted in Korogocho.
“The residents of Korogocho are very special to me, and any inhumane eviction is wrong. However, the law governing riparian corridors must be followed to save lives, and compensation, where applicable, must be fair,” he affirmed.
Referring to a Cabinet resolution from April 2024, Sakaja noted that the National Government had advised residents living along riverbanks to relocate to higher ground in anticipation of heavy rains and heightened flood risk.
The Nairobi River Commission, represented by its Chairperson, former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru, clarified that the declaration of the Nairobi River Corridor as a Special Planning Area does not authorize evictions or displacements without due legal process, a resettlement action plan, and fair compensation.
The declaration paves the way for the Nairobi River Regeneration Project.
The Nairobi River Regeneration and Engineering Works Programme was launched by President William Ruto on March 10, 2025, to rehabilitate the heavily polluted Nairobi River and its tributaries, transforming them into a sustainable urban waterfront.
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