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

The government has explained the purpose of the Special Planning Area (SPA) in the Nairobi River Regeneration Project.

SPA is a legal planning tool gazetted on March 6, 2025, under Kenya’s Physical and Land Use Planning Act. The SPA spans a 60-meter buffer zone along the Nairobi River corridor, stretching from Naivasha Road to Ruai, and will serve as the framework for developing an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) over the next two years.

“The SPA is not an eviction order or demolition notice,” authorities told Business Today. “It is a structured, legal process designed to coordinate urban development in a way that is participatory, fair, and environmentally responsible.”

Authorities say any relocation that may occur during the implementation phase will follow legal procedures, involve public consultation, and include fair compensation.

What the Project Aims to Deliver

The Nairobi River SPA project promises to improve water quality and riparian health, create flood control systems and green public spaces, provide dignified, affordable housing in affected informal settlements and enhance sanitation, infrastructure, and public health outcomes.

“Ultimately, this is about co-creating a healthier, more inclusive city with the people who live here,” said a spokesperson from the Nairobi River Commission.

A major tenet of the project is public participation. Community forums, localised communication campaigns, and open feedback channels will be employed to ensure that residents’ voices are incorporated into the final development plan.

“The government is committed to transparency and dialogue at every step,” officials told Business Today.

To maintain public trust, the Nairobi River Commission has pledged to provide regular updates, multilingual materials, open reporting channels, and visual maps to keep communities informed and engaged.

Officials hope the Nairobi River Regeneration Project will serve as a model for sustainable urban development across Africa. By combining environmental restoration with social justice and community-led planning, the project aligns with global best practices for inclusive city-building.

The SPA model is being held up as an example of how urgent urban challenges—from informal settlement planning to ecological restoration—can be tackled with a human-centred, future-focused approach.

Read: Inside the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Project Which Promises 30,000 Jobs

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