The government has unveiled plans to overhaul Nairobi’s ageing sewer infrastructure, with Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo warning that the current system, built in 1970, can no longer meet the demands of the rapidly expanding city.
In a statement, Omollo said the outdated sewer network has been overwhelmed by population growth, forcing some residents to resort to unsafe waste disposal methods, including discharging waste into the Nairobi River. He noted that the practice has exposed communities to significant health risks.
To address the crisis, the government has initiated the construction of a modern sewer network under the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme. The project includes the development of twin trunk sewer lines spanning approximately 28 kilometres along both banks of the river corridor.
According to the PS, the system will run from Naivasha Road to Museum Hill, passing through Dagoretti and Chiromo via Kirichwa Kubwa, and extending to Dandora Falls. Once complete, the new infrastructure is expected to handle up to 310 million litres of wastewater daily.
The upgraded system will serve key areas including Westlands, Lavington, Kangemi, Kawangware and Kikuyu, significantly easing pressure on the existing sewer network.
“At the heart of the Nairobi River Regeneration Programme is the development of twin trunk sewer lines stretching approximately 28 kilometres along both banks of the river corridor. The system runs across key sections from Naivasha Road to Museum Hill, through Dagoretti and Chiromo via Kirichwa Kubwa and onward to Dandora Falls,” Omollo said.
The initiative is being implemented alongside the Climate WorX programme, which focuses on cleaning the river, reclaiming riparian land and restoring the ecosystem through tree planting and other environmental measures.
Omollo noted that the project has also created employment opportunities, with more than 1,000 workers engaged directly on-site and thousands of other youths participating in sanitation and environmental restoration efforts.
He added that the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration is playing a key coordinating role to ensure smooth collaboration among government agencies, maintain public order, and support conservation efforts.
The project is part of broader efforts by the government to modernize urban infrastructure while addressing environmental degradation and public health concerns in the capital.
Read: Nairobi Unveils Ksh38.1B Water Plan as Floods Expose Infrastructure
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