GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 13907

WHEREAS, the State has a duty to protect the environment, our heritage and splendour for the enduring benefit of the present and future generations; WHEREAS, to combat the devastating impact of climate change in Kenya, the Government is implementing varied measures to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation; WHEREAS, the State interventions seek to enhance biodiversity on agricultural land, forest land, marine ecosystem and urban areas; WHEREAS, Nairobi River Basin ecosystem has, notwithstanding varied State interventions, not regenerated sufficiently to sustain aquatic life in the river channel stream and has remained murky and turbid; and WHEREAS, it has become necessary to foster the co-ordination of the initiatives for the protection, restoration, rehabilitation, beautification of the Nairobi Rivers and all water bodies within the boundary of the Nairobi City County through a basin wide integrated approach. NOW THEREFORE, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the Constitution and the Laws of the Republic of Kenya do hereby establish the Nairobi Rivers Commission. The Commission shall comprise of the following members: – Bishop Margaret Wanjiru (Hon.) – Chairperson Mumo Musuva (Dr.), Grace Senewa Mesopirr (Ms.), John Kioli, Eva Muhia (Ms.), Amos Chege Mugo Carlotta Dalago (Ms.), Rael Chebichii Lelei (Ms.), Benjamin Langwen, Charles Karisa Dadu, Omanga Millicent (Hon.). In furtherance of the Commission’s mandate, it shall include Principal Secretaries from the following State Departments: State Department for Environment and Climate Change; State Department for Water and Sanitation; State Department for Internal Security and National Administration; State Department for Lands and Physical Planning; State Department for Housing and Urban Development; The National Treasury; and The Executive Office of the President. Secretariat The Secretariat of the Commission shall be domiciled at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, which shall assist in the day-to-day management of its affairs. I. The terms of reference of the Commission are to– (a) Reclaim the rivers of Nairobi as a spine to the city’s blue and green infrastructure for a better urban environment and quality of life; (b) Examine previous reports and recommendations made in the efforts of reclaiming Nairobi River and adopt lessons learnt in the new initiative. In particular reference to Nairobi River Basin Project (UNEP, 2000); Adopt-A-River Initiative (UNEP and Rotary Clubs, 2019 - ongoing), Nairobi River Regeneration Initiative (UN-Habitat and GoK, 2020 - ongoing); and Urban Rivers Regeneration Programme (NEMA, 2019 – 2024) and incorporate the lessons to the new initiative; (c) Undertake an assessment of the Rivers related to the current and future issues and their root causes and develop a programme called the Nairobi Rivers Basin Regeneration Programme (NABREP) to restore and enhance the Nairobi Basin and related infrastructure to such standards as permits the full enjoyment of a safe, inclusive and healthy environment for all and unlock the socio-economic potential of the Basin; (d) Co-ordinate the activities of various players mandated to engage in the rehabilitation, protection, restoration, beautification and sustainable development of the riverine basin within Nairobi City County towards transforming the Nairobi rivers system into a new economic and retail frontier of the city; (e) Monitor compliance with the laws and regulations governing the environment of the Basin and its catchment areas in 25th October, 2024 THE KENYA GAZETTE collaboration with the departments, agencies and/or ministries of the County Government of Nairobi City and the National Government and propose institutional and regulatory modifications where necessary; (f) Develop codes of conduct and propose modalities for enforcement in partnership with the relevant stakeholders; (g) Spearhead resource mobilization for the development and management of the Nairobi Rivers; (h) Pursuant to paragraph (g), develop, adopt and execute a Trust Fund or other instrument to structure strategic partnerships and receive financial resources from within or outside Kenya to finance the implementation of programmes and projects, for which the Commission shall fully be accountable for proper and prudent management and for whose loss it shall be liable; (i) Promote public awareness on sustainable protection of the Nairobi Rivers basin and enhance public participation in its restoration; (j) Perform such other functions as may be necessary and incidental to the realization of the objectives aforenamed; and II. In the execution of its mandate, the Commission shall adopt its own procedure and set down guiding principles and norms to govern its operations and shall: (a) Constitute a multi-stakeholder mechanism for citizen engagement comprising of the following entities: Executive Office of the President; Ministry of Interior and National Administration; Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry; Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation; Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development; Nairobi City County relevant Departments including Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company; National Government Agencies including National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Land Commission, (NLC), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), National Museums of Kenya, Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority, (KURA), Athi Water Works Development Authority (AWWDA), Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA), and Water Resources Authority (WRA); Relevant professional organizations and academia; Civil Society Organizations and riverine Communities; and (b) Constitute an Advisory Group made up of the following entities: UN-Habitat, UNEP, World Resources Institute (WRI) and such other development partners and private sector organizations as may be willing to assist it in the implementation of its mandate and resource mobilization. III. The members of the Commission shall hold office for a term of three (3) years renewable once based on performance. IV. The Commission shall be financed through – (a) Funding appropriated for the Commission’s use by the National Government and the Nairobi City County Government; and (b) Donations and endowment for the purposes of implementing the Nairobi Rivers Basin Regeneration Programme of the Commission. Dated the 25th October, 2024. WILLIAM SAMOEI RUTO, President. *