The long-awaited rehabilitation project aims to restore the historic dam to its former glory after years of environmental degradation and encroachment.
The long-awaited restoration of Nairobi Dam has officially commenced, following the successful conclusion of a public participation exercise that sought to incorporate the views of residents, environmental stakeholders, and business owners in the surrounding areas.
The rehabilitation project, spearheaded by the Nairobi County Government in collaboration with the national government and several water management agencies, marks a significant milestone in efforts to reclaim one of the city’s most important yet neglected water bodies. Officials confirmed that all requisite legal and procedural requirements have now been satisfied, paving the way for the start of physical works.
The public participation phase, which ran for several weeks, involved a series of consultative meetings with communities living along the dam’s catchment area, environmental activists, and representatives from the private sector. Residents were given the opportunity to voice concerns regarding displacement, waste management, and long-term sustainability measures. According to county officials, the feedback collected during these sessions has been integrated into the final restoration blueprint.
Speaking during a site visit to mark the commencement of works, a senior official from the Nairobi County Water and Sanitation Department stated that the restoration efforts would focus on several critical areas. These include dredging the dam to remove decades of accumulated silt and solid waste, rehabilitating the inlet and outlet channels to improve water flow, and constructing a perimeter fence to prevent further encroachment and illegal dumping.
“This project is not just about restoring a water body; it is about reclaiming a vital ecosystem that has suffered from years of neglect,” the official said. “We have listened to the people, and the work that begins today reflects their input.”
Environmental experts have long warned that the Nairobi Dam, once a pristine reservoir that supplied water to the city, had become heavily polluted due to raw sewage infiltration, industrial runoff, and rampant encroachment by informal settlements and commercial developments. The degradation of the dam has also contributed to flooding in downstream areas during heavy rains, exacerbating the city’s ongoing drainage challenges.
The restoration project is expected to be implemented in phases, with the initial phase focusing on dredging and waste removal. Subsequent phases will involve landscaping, the creation of recreational facilities, and the establishment of a buffer zone to protect the dam from future encroachment. The county government has also pledged to work with national environmental agencies to address upstream pollution sources, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the restored dam.
Local residents and environmental activists have welcomed the start of the project, expressing cautious optimism after years of unfulfilled promises. Community leaders noted that previous efforts to rehabilitate the dam had stalled due to political infighting and lack of funding.
“We have seen many false starts over the years, but this time feels different because the people were actually consulted,” said a resident of the adjacent Kibra area. “We hope the authorities will see this through to completion.”
The restoration of Nairobi Dam is part of a broader initiative by the Nairobi County Government to rehabilitate key public assets and green spaces within the city. Officials have indicated that similar restoration efforts are being planned for other degraded water bodies, including the Ngong River and several dams located within the metropolitan area.
As the project moves into its active phase, authorities have urged residents to cooperate by refraining from dumping waste into the dam or its tributaries. Enforcement teams have been deployed to monitor compliance, with warnings issued that those found engaging in illegal activities within the catchment area will face prosecution.
The completion date for the restoration project has not yet been announced, but officials expressed confidence that with sustained public cooperation and inter-agency coordination, the Nairobi Dam could once again become a source of pride for the city within the next 18 to 24
