The Ngong river, a tributary of the Nairobi river, runs for a length of 65 km within the city’s metropolitan area. Two of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, Mukuru and Kibera, are situated along the river’s riparian reserve, as are multiple commercial, industrial and residential developments both upstream and downstream.
The challenge
The Ngong river is not only a source of water for downstream users, but if well managed, there is immense potential to turn the expansive riparian zone into a valuable green space for recreation, flood control, and food production. Unfortunately, the section running through the densely populated Mukuru informal settlement is largely utilized as a garbage dump by both households and industries. Due to a lack of access to water, sanitation and waste management services, local communities are grappling with the health impacts, as well as related social and economic costs. With entire families sharing one-roomed shacks with no public spaces for escape, this challenging situation particularly impacts on children, as well as women, who are the primary caregivers.
What the project aims to do
Part of the broader Mukuru Special Planning Area (SPA) process, the pilot phase of the project sought to establish shared WASH facilities on an initial 700 plots (courtyards with around 10 households). This follow up project aims to link the provision of WASH services to broader community infrastructure by facilitating a participatory process to design an integrated riparian river basin plan for Mukuru. In doing so, project will not only enhance access to clean and safe water and sanitation services to all residents but also raise community awareness about their rights and responsibilities in building, such as green public spaces and improvements to the riparian environment. Additionally, the rehabilitation of all Nairobi rivers will ensure that the water that flows downstream to the agricultural areas of South East Kenya, a region often adversely affected by extreme droughts due to climate change, is clean and viable for irrigation and other household uses. This integrated approach is expected to strengthen understanding among all stakeholders of the interplay and link between the river network and its environs and how to achieve a balance between economic, social, health, and environmental benefits.
Steps in the integrated riparian planning process
Community-led process
Initiated in response to the pressing issues faced by Mukuru residents, including inadequate infrastructure and services. This process identified WASH as one of the most urgent priorities for the community, and advocated for construction of water and sanitation facilities at the plot level, rather than the existing communal facilities. AMT subsequently collaborated with community members to identify and mobilize needy structure owners willing to build toilets and connect to the sewer system. Community members played a crucial role in sensitizing structure owners and residents about the project’s goals and loan terms.
Formation of Themed Planning Consortia
Eight specialized planning groups collaborated with the Nairobi County government and other institutions to address various aspects of development, including WASH.
Innovative technical solutions
Building on the community recommendations, preliminary designs for the initial project in Mukuru Kwa Ruben (Mosque Road Pilot) were developed and approved by the County. These included simplified sewer systems and the installation of pre-paid water dispensers
Creation of a sanitation revolving fund
The immediate benefits associated with the expansion of WASH infrastructure in the pilot phase led to high demand for expanding the project across the entire settlement. To ensure sustainability, it was important to ensure a market-based approach from the start. AMT and FSD-Kenya have established a sanitation revolving fund to assist structure owners with toilet construction and connection fees. Approximately 115 structure owners had received support by the conclusion of the pilot, at an average loan of KES 25,000 (approximately US$185).
Project partners:
The project partners for this project include Akiba Mashinani Trust (AMT), KDI, the Godown Art Centre, UC Berkely, Nairobi City County Government (NCCG), Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
