- The government has kicked off a major urban renewal project in Lucky Summer as part of a larger effort to restore the Nairobi River Basin and tackle climate change through inclusive development.

The Nairobi Rivers Commission, under the Ministry of Interior, has identified catalytic projects as a cornerstone of its river restoration strategy, with the Zone 5 initiative in Lucky Summer now taking shape.

The project will deliver upgraded infrastructure, rehabilitated public spaces, and improved sanitation services—key ingredients in transforming underserved urban areas.

At the centre of the initiative is the rollout of a new trunk sewer, with 6km already set out and excavation works expected to begin this week.

The commission targets completion of 11km of works by June 23, 2025.

“These efforts are aligned with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), focusing on communities that have long been left behind,” said Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.

The Lucky Summer project is also linked to ClimateWorX Mtaani, a national government programme that blends climate action with youth empowerment.

The initiative has created green jobs for about 200,000 young Kenyans, providing hands-on experience in ecological restoration, public infrastructure development, and sustainable urban planning.

ClimateWorX involves collaboration with local governments, NGOs, and private sector actors, and focuses on labour-intensive public works that restore river ecosystems, plant trees, and green urban spaces.

The programme is tied to broader national efforts such as the 15 Billion Tree Growing Campaign and seeks to restore ecological balance while uplifting communities through job creation and improved urban services.

“This is not just about cleaning rivers or laying pipes—it’s about reclaiming dignity in neighbourhoods that have long been ignored,” Omollo noted in a statement.

The government envisions the Lucky Summer project as a model that can be replicated in other informal settlements across Nairobi and beyond.

By integrating environmental rehabilitation, job creation, and infrastructure development, the project signals a shift toward holistic urban transformation.

The Nairobi River Basin, once a vital ecological corridor, has been severely degraded by years of pollution, poor planning, and neglect.

Officials say the new approach will pair environmental justice with socio-economic impact.

Recently, the Ministry of Environment praised the initiatives so far on the Nairobi River, predicting notable improvements within a year.

The ministry reassured Kenyans that the heavily polluted river would soon be transformed into a source of clean, potable water that can be drunk.

Additionally, the government underscored its dedication to environmental sustainability and stressed the importance of joint efforts in reviving the river’s natural condition.

Source: TUKO.co.ke