Ruto vows to clean Nairobi River enough to support fish
By Ascah Mwango, July 17, 2025President William Ruto has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to cleaning and restoring the Nairobi River, with a bold promise to launch a new fish market in the area within two weeks.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the Nairobi River clean-up exercise in Dandora on Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Head of State said the plan is not just to remove waste but to breathe new life into the once heavily polluted river and transform it into a hub of activity.
The president emphasised that he intends to make the river clean enough to support aquatic life, especially fish. This, he said, is part of a bigger vision to transform Nairobi’s environment while improving the economy and livelihoods.
“Naona mko na mpango. Mimi nimekuja hapa kwa sababu tulikubaliana na nyinyi ya kwamba hii Nairobi River, tanataka tuipangie vizuri. Tuondoe maji taka, tuondoe sewage, tuweke samaki, tutengeneze barabara, tutengeneze penye watoto watachezea, na tuwapangie manyumba na maendeleo. Ahadi ni deni. Nitatengeneza hii maneno, watu wa Nairobi, Mathare, Kamkunji,” Ruto said.
He added that his administration will build two sewer lines to stop raw sewage from draining into the river, which has been one of the major sources of pollution.
“Mbali na kutengeneza river hii, pia tutajenga sewer lines mbili; ile maji ya taka taka haiwezi tena kuingia kwa river, ndo tuhakikishe maji yote ya taka inapitia kwa sewer lines,” he said.
Fish market
In what was the highlight of his speech, Ruto assured residents that a fish market would be built in the area within two weeks.
“Nimeambiwa mnataka nijenge soko la samaki na mali ingine; nataka niwaambie kuwa, wiki mbili zinakuja, mtakuwa na soko tukiendelea kusafisha Nairobi River,” he announced.
This is not the first time the president has made such a promise. In December 2024, during another inspection of the Nairobi River, Ruto said the ultimate goal is to restore the river so that it can support fish and provide clean water for children.
“Tanakikisha kwamba tunaweka usafi kwa mto, tuweke hadi samaki na pia maji safi watoto wetu watumie,” he said at the time.
As part of the broader Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme, the government is also planning to build weir dams to control water levels and establish wetlands to help clean the water naturally.
The clean-up project goes beyond environmental goals. Ruto emphasised that his administration is keen on urban renewal, job creation, and improved living conditions for Nairobi’s residents.
“We will also build 50,000 social houses, making sure that our youth get employed while also making the city clean. We will need 30,000 people,” he said in 2024.
The Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Program is expected to transform the city by improving the environment, creating thousands of jobs, and offering affordable housing to low-income earners.