Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome has formed a Multi-Agency Team to complete the demarcation and harmonisation of riparian reserves, wetlands, and springs along the Nairobi Rivers Corridor. The exercise covers the Nairobi, Mathare, Ngong, Miotoni, Mokoyeti, Mbagthi, Ruaka, Gethathuru, and Kibagare rivers and their tributaries.
The team will include representatives from the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning, the State Department for Interior and National Coordination, the Survey of Kenya, the Water Resources Authority, the National Environment Management Authority, Nairobi City County Government, and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
According to a gazette notice dated December 19, 2025, the Multi-Agency Team will demarcate riparian reserves, wetlands, and springs along the corridor and ensure that all activities in these areas comply with the Water Act (Cap. 372).
The team will regulate its own procedures and may enter, survey, and inspect properties along the Nairobi Rivers Corridor. It will take actions allowed under the Constitution, the Water Act, the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, the Survey Act, and other relevant legislation. The team will also apply harmonised standards for easements, wayleaves, and riparian reserves as provided under the Physical and Land Use Planning (Development Permission and Control) Regulations, 2021.
The team has the authority to direct the relocation of people living in flash-flood prone areas, remove unauthorised developments and encroachments, prohibit incompatible land uses, and request landowners or occupiers to submit ownership documents for verification, including title deeds, survey plans, leases, permits, and clearances. All actions will respect due process, observe the rights of affected parties, and involve public participation.
“In view of the foregoing, the public is requested to cooperate with the Multi-Agency Team during the demarcation exercise and ensure that no activities prohibited under the Water Act, Physical and Land Use Planning Act, Environmental Management and Coordination Act, or any other relevant legislation are carried out within riparian reserves, wetlands, and springs,” the notice reads.
The demarcation exercise is set to begin on December 22, 2025.
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