Kenyans Will Start Drinking Water From Nairobi River, CS Aden Duale Promises

• Environment CS Aden Duale pledged to restore the Nairobi River within a year, aiming for clean, drinkable water
• Duale said he'd follow the late John Michuki’s efforts, promising to continue where the former Environment Minister left off
• The restoration is part of the government's broader Climate Action agenda, with NGAOs playing a key role in conservation initiatives
• Duale stated that tree planting is vital to rehabilitating the river, aligning with Kenya Kwanza's plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has vowed to restore the Nairobi River to a state where Kenyans can drink clean water from it within a year.

Speaking during a meeting with Nairobi Region National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Lower Kabete, Duale expressed his commitment.

The CS stated that he would follow in the footsteps of former Cabinet minister, the late John Michuki, who made significant efforts to clean the river.

"In one year, we must drink water, clean water; we must see blue water in the Nairobi River. That will be the legacy," CS Duale stated.

He credited Michuki's earlier efforts and expressed his determination to continue from where the former Environment Minister left off.

"I will follow in Michuki’s footsteps, may his soul rest in peace. Where Michuki left off, we will continue. The Kenya Forest Service is here, the Principal Secretary is here. I told them we must plant trees," Duale affirmed.

What is Duale's masterplan for Kenya's environment

Duale’s ambitious promise aligns with the government’s broader Climate Action agenda, spearheaded by President William Ruto.

Officers from NGAO are expected to play a crucial role in pushing the government's conservation initiatives, including the Climate WorX program.

Climate WorX focuses on rehabilitating the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem, which has long been polluted by waste and industrial effluent.

The CS also stressed the importance of tree planting in achieving this goal, noting that afforestation is key to restoring the river’s health.

"I told them we must plant trees," he said, pointing out that this aligns with the Kenya Kwanza administration's plan to plant 15 billion trees by 2032.

Ruto announces plans to employ youths to clean Nairobi River

On Thursday, September 12, Ruto launched the Nairobi River Regeneration Project in Korogocho he promised it would employ 20,000 youth.

The cleanup was met with dissatisfaction from the crowd and jobless youths. He also outlined the application process for those interested.

The crowd's response was overwhelmingly negative. Many people shouted and expressed frustration, citing a lack of smartphones to apply.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke