Ruto satisfied with progress in clean up of Nairobi River 

President William Ruto expressed satisfaction at the progress of the clean up of Nairobi River.

During an inspection tour of the two 27km sewer lines’ works on both sides of Nairobi River, the President said the project would give the capital city a much-needed face-lift and improve the quality of life for residents.

“It is not right for millions of people in this city to continue living in squalor. That is why we have dedicated enough resources to rehabilitate this river,” he said during on Wednesday.

Present were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Lands and Housing Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, MPs Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), Phelix Jalango (Lang’ata), George Aladwa (Makadara), and Esther Passaris (Woman Rep).

Others were Nominated Senators Karen Nyamu and Tabitha Mutinda.

He said 45,000 young people are engaged in the clean up of the river under the ClimateWorx Mtaani initiative that has created tens of thousands of jobs.

He began the tour of the river corridor by inspecting construction works of the sewer line at Lucky Summer, Ruaraka Constituency.

He said the construction of 44 bridges over the 27km-long river would commence soon, marking another milestone in the efforts to regenerate not just Nairobi River but the entire rivers’ basin.

At the same time, Ruto assessed works to clean up the Ngomongo Quarry dumpsite in Ruaraka Constituency, an eyesore he said would soon disappear.

The President assured the youth engaged in economic activities at the dumpsite that they will not lose their source of livelihood due to the clean up activities.

“I want to assure all of you who earn a living from this dumpsite that you will not lose your source of livelihoods. If anything, we will enhance it,” he said.

He explained that the National Government is currently building 110,000 affordable housing units in Nairobi which, he said, are giving city residents decent housing as well as creating job opportunities for young people.

He said the Sh80 billion cooperation agreement signed between the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government on Tuesday is aimed at hastening service delivery to the residents of Nairobi.

He assured Kenyans that county functions have not been transferred to the National Government.

“I already have enough work running the National Government. My interest is to ensure that we deliver to the people of this city as expected of us,” he said.

Sakaja said the deal will unlock more resources required to make Nairobi a modern metropolis.

“You elected me as your governor, and I must do everything possible to raise standards. I had an annual budget of KSh40 billion now it will more than double,” he said.

Addressing residents at Dandora Bridge, President Ruto emphasised that residents would not be forcefully evicted from the river corridor without offering alternative settlement by the government.

He added that the government will build social amenities such as schools, social halls, playgrounds and libraries.

President Ruto said Sh1.5 billion has been allocated for transformers and last-mile connections in informal settlements.

Furthermore, he said the government has allocated Sh13 billion to expand the road network in the city, including building 200km of roads in all the city’s wards.

Pointing out that the National Government is building 16 modern markets in Nairobi County, President Ruto said the construction of a Sh5 billion Gikomba market would begin soon.

In Kamukunji Constituency, he inspected progress at the Kamukunji Community Park which is being rehabilitated as part of the Nairobi River Regeneration programme.

The President challenged his political competitors to share with Kenyans their vision for the country instead of perpetuating empty slogans and ethnic divisions.

“We have a track record for what we have done. We can account for our presence. We have a plan, an agenda and a programme for the future. Sadly, our competitors have no vision, no plan, and no programme,” he said.