Architectural Association hails plan to designate Nairobi River corridor as special planning area

Nyole said that if properly implemented, the initiative by the government can transform Nairobi’s urban landscape for the benefit of residents.

She called for similar designations to be extended to other critical ecosystems that include river basins and water catchment areas, to safeguard Kenya’s natural resources and reinforce long-term ecological and economic stability.

Earlier this month, the county government issued a special notice making the declaration and invited members of the public to submit their views on the issue within two weeks.

The notice issued on March 6, 2025, by the County Executive Committee Member for Environment Patrick Mbogo indicated that the designated area will cover a 60-meter buffer zone beyond the high-water mark on each side of the river—comprising a 30-meter riparian corridor and an additional 30-meter development area.

It will see the Nairobi River Corridor extend from Naivasha Road to Ruai, including its tributaries, and will enable the preparation of a Local Physical Development and Land use plan that will provide a framework for river regeneration, flood hazard mitigation and riparian land-use redevelopment of the land.

The plan will also support the construction of Social and Affordable housing and associated social and physical infrastructure and will include a financing structure for the development of the special planning area.

Nyole noted that the Nairobi River corridor holds immense potential in the creation of urban parks that would go a long way in enhancing the quality of life in cities by providing green spaces for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction.

“The corridor presents a unique opportunity to develop spaces that benefit the environment and the local community. Green infrastructure, such as wetlands and riparian buffers, can be integrated to help filter pollutants and improve water quality”.

The riparian restoration, she added, must ensure that all affected individuals are treated respectfully and solutions are applied fairly across all communities while upholding rights to safe and sustainable living environments.

She said encroachment is not limited to informal settlements and affects neighborhoods across all income levels.

The process must be systematic, transparent, and participatory, safeguarding the dignity of affected individuals while preventing future encroachments through sustainable urban planning.

“Given the scale of this undertaking, a multi-stakeholder approach is essential. Several organizations working in informal settlements have conducted extensive research and visioning exercises with local communities to reimagine the use of riparian areas,” she said.

She urged the state to leverage such networks to ensure that the SPA plan is responsive to the needs of the affected populations.

Nyole pointed out that poor urban planning has further degraded riparian ecosystems and that inadequate infrastructure and weak development controls have exposed the areas to encroachment and pollution.