State House Given 14-Day Notice to Remove Riparian Wall in Nairobi River Cleanup Drive

State House has now been included among the institutions and property owners ordered to remove structures that have extended into riparian land along the Kirichwa Kubwa River.

The directive is part of a renewed and more aggressive campaign by the government to reclaim Nairobi’s rivers and protect waterways from illegal encroachment.

The 14-day notice was issued by Water Resources Authority (WRA) Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Moulid Shurie. He delivered the warning on Tuesday evening during an inspection exercise carried out together with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and officers from the Nairobi River Commission.

The team toured sections of the river to assess buildings, walls, and other developments that have been constructed within protected riparian zones.

During the visit, Shurie sent a strong message to all Kenyans whose structures lie within river reserves, urging them to remove them before the authorities step in.

He made it clear that the enforcement exercise will continue across the city and that those who fail to comply risk forced demolition.

“We want to tell Kenyans, those who are already within the riparian, please move, before we come. We want to complete this exercise as soon as possible. You will be seeing us around,” the CEO said.

It was during the same inspection that officials identified part of the State House perimeter wall as having crossed into the protected riparian reserve.

The affected section was marked on site, and a formal notice was issued directing the institution to demolish the section within 14 days.

Governor Sakaja welcomed the move and described it as a major demonstration of leadership, transparency, and accountability from the highest office in the land.

According to him, the decision sends a clear message that the law must apply equally to everyone, regardless of status or position.

Sakaja further revealed that President William Ruto had already agreed that the wall should be removed in line with environmental laws, saying the Head of State was choosing to lead by example.

“I want to thank the President. He is the primary tenant here and has led by example. If this wall at State House can come down, then every other structure along the riparian land must also be removed,” Sakaja said during the inspection.

The latest development follows remarks made by President Ruto last Thursday, when he openly stated that even State House would not be spared if any part of its boundary had been found to sit on riparian land.

At the time, he warned all individuals, companies, and institutions occupying such spaces to voluntarily vacate before demolition teams moved in.

Speaking during his address to the Nairobi County Assembly in the city last week, the President disclosed that State House had already received communication from the multi-agency team handling the reclamation process.

“We have received notice from the multi-agency claiming riparian land that part of the State House boundary, the wall along Kirichwa Kubwa River, falls within the riparian reserve, and it must come down. They have told me at least 15 metres from the high mark,” Ruto said.

The demolition exercise is part of the wider Nairobi River Regeneration Programme, a multi-billion-shilling plan aimed at restoring the city’s rivers, protecting riparian land, improving environmental health, and creating modern urban infrastructure around the waterways.

The government has already set aside more than Ksh50 billion for the large-scale project, showing the seriousness of the planned transformation.

A major focus of the programme is the restoration of river ecosystems, clearing of illegal structures, and development of pedestrian walkways and cycling corridors along Nairobi’s rivers.

These pathways are expected to make movement easier for residents while also creating cleaner, greener, and safer public spaces.

The corridors will also feature street lighting, improved security systems, and modern urban design features to ensure people can use them safely during both day and night.

Officials say this will not only improve mobility but also make the city more attractive and environmentally friendly.

In the long term, the vision is to connect different parts of Nairobi through scenic river pathways, allowing residents to move conveniently between areas such as Eastleigh and Westlands without relying entirely on roads.

This is expected to reduce traffic congestion while introducing new transport and recreation options for city dwellers.

Beyond the walkways, the programme also includes major urban renewal projects such as the construction of a modern Gikomba Market and the facelift of important city sections including Globe Roundabout.

These improvements are expected to reshape Nairobi’s urban landscape and support economic activity.

On the issue of land reclamation, authorities pointed to earlier success stories, including the recovery of land along the Kibagare River near Westgate Shopping Mall.

A public park is currently being developed in the reclaimed space, offering a glimpse of what the larger Nairobi river restoration vision could achieve.

Overall, the inclusion of State House in the demolition notice has added significant weight to the government’s riparian recovery campaign, with leaders now hoping it will encourage faster compliance from other landowners across Nairobi.

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