Nairobi Dam revival begins as Sakaja team moves in after public approval

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja./HANDOUT

The rehabilitation of the historic Nairobi Dam has officially begun after public participation exercises in Nairobi West and Highrise concluded.

The move sets the stage for restoration works expected to roll out in the coming weeks.

The forums, led by Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson, ended yesterday with residents backing urgent action.

Locals were taken through planned interventions aimed at restoring the dam to its original state.

Constructed in 1953, Nairobi Dam has long suffered from pollution, neglect, and widespread encroachment.

In response, the county government has unveiled a three-phase emergency plan to fast-track its rehabilitation and avert possible flooding.

A multi-agency team comprising Nairobi County officials, the Water Resources Authority (WRA), the Nairobi Regeneration Commission, disaster response units, and the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company has begun groundwork.

The first phase involves marking riparian boundaries.

Authorities have urged those occupying protected areas to vacate following earlier sensitisation.

“We have listened to the residents, and what we are undertaking now is a structured and urgent intervention to restore Nairobi Dam and protect lives and property,” Sakaja said.

The second phase will focus on assessing the strength of the dam’s embankment.

Reinforcement measures will then be carried out to prevent any potential disaster.

“Once we secure the embankment, we will move swiftly to enforce riparian laws and clean up the dam, removing all waste to return it to its original condition,” Sakaja added.

In the coming weeks, authorities will intensify enforcement efforts.

A large-scale clean-up exercise will also be rolled out as part of broader plans to tackle flooding and reclaim key environmental assets.

This follows a notice issued by the Water Resources Authority urging residents living downstream to vacate.

Ongoing heavy rains in Nairobi have pushed water levels near capacity, posing a risk to hundreds of households.

The warning comes as demolition of structures on riparian land continues across the city.

County teams are also intensifying efforts to unclog drainage systems.

Meanwhile, construction of new drainage infrastructure, as outlined in the cooperation agreement, is expected to begin soon.