NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 2 – President William Ruto has appointed former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu as a member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
In a gazette dated December 2, 2022, Ruto appointed the commission whose task is “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,” the notice reads.
It will be chaired by Dr Pamela A. Olet, with Dr Mumo Musuva – a representative from Nairobi City County; Ms Grace Senewa Mesopirr —Ministry of Environment and Forestry; Ms Elizabeth Wathuti – Civil Society; Ms Eva Muhia – Riverine Communities; Prof. Eng. Elijah Biama and Dr Duncan Ojwang – both representing Academia and Ms Carlota Dal Lago – the Private Sector.
The commission will be reporting to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on a quarterly basis and will hold office for three years renewable based on their performance.
According to President Ruto, the commission will look at previous reports and the recommendations made in efforts to reclaim the river and adopt lessons in their new initiative.
They are expected to promote public awareness of sustainable protection of the Nairobi Rivers basin and enhance public participation in its restoration as well as perform any other function that may be necessary to their mandate.
The commission is expected to coordinate various players to rehabilitate, protect, restore, beautify and sustainably develop the riverine basin within Nairobi City County.
They will also monitor compliance with laws and regulations governing the environment of the basin in collaboration with departments and other agencies.
The commission will receive funding from the National Government as well as Nairobi County Government but is expected to establish a Trust fund and spearhead the mobilization of financial support from donors for its work.
It will also develop codes of conduct and propose modalities for enforcement partnerships with the relevant stakeholders.
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