Nairobi River Regeneration Project Has Created Over 40,000 Jobs, Govt Says

The government has announced that the Nairobi River Regeneration Project has already created more than 40,000 jobs, making it one of the largest urban employment initiatives in the country.

According to a government progress report, thousands of young people have been hired to take part in cleanup, restoration and construction works along the Nairobi River, providing much-needed income while helping to restore the heavily polluted waterway. The Sh50 billion project, launched in March 2025, includes major infrastructure such as a 60-kilometre trunk sewer line, expanded wastewater treatment plants and the development of public green spaces.

The government said the employment drive is not only improving livelihoods but also delivering long-term public health and environmental benefits. By reducing raw sewage, toxic waste and illegal dumping, the project is expected to significantly cut water-borne diseases and turn the river into a safe and productive public space for Nairobi residents.

Officials noted that many informal settlements along the river, especially downstream, have cooperated with relocation efforts to allow the works to proceed. However, resistance in some upstream areas such as Lavington and Kileleshwa could threaten progress, potentially affecting millions of people who depend on the river system across Nairobi and beyond.

The government said the regeneration programme is about both environmental restoration and economic empowerment, adding that the thousands of jobs created so far demonstrate how infrastructure and environmental projects can directly improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

Read: Kangemi and Dagoretti Residents Ink Deal With Govt on Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Plan

>>> Govt Clarifies That Special Planning Area In Nairobi River Regeneration Project Is Not A Demolition Order