flowing together

The Flowing Together project, funded by Slovak Aid, focused on raising awareness among residents of Nairobi’s informal settlements about the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) and its efforts to regenerate the Nairobi Rivers Basin. The project aimed to make the NRC’s plans more responsive to community needs by fostering direct engagement through community dialogues, awareness-building activities, and knowledge exchange sessions with actors from other East African cities involved in river regeneration. However, the project had to adapt to unexpected challenges, such as severe flooding and government-led demolitions, which affected the planned activities and influenced the project’s outcomes.

context

Nairobi’s rivers suffer from severe pollution, encroachment, and biodiversity loss due to rapid urbanization and unregulated development.

In response, the NRC was established in 2022 to restore Nairobi’s rivers and promote sustainable urban development. Informal settlements along the riverbanks face heightened risks of flooding and contamination, as evidenced during the heavy rains in early 2024, which led to widespread destruction and loss of life. While the NRC has been working to develop a master plan for river regeneration and coordinating various actors, recent government-mandated demolitions in riparian zones have displaced thousands, complicating the regeneration process.

process

Mukuru kwa Rueben after government demolitions in response to April - May flooding, 2024.

The Flowing Together project aimed to ensure community voices were integrated into the NRC’s strategies.

The project’s original scope included three primary activities:
  • Community Dialogues with residents in informal settlements along the Ngong River;
  • Awareness Campaigns to educate communities on the NRC’s plans;
  • Regional Exchange Workshops connecting Nairobi with other East African cities that have river regeneration initiatives.

However, due to unanticipated demolitions and severe floods in early 2024, additional activities were incorporated:
  • Stakeholder Consultation Meetings: KDI facilitated community participation in NRC consultations, ensuring that residents from informal settlements could actively contribute to discussions on coordinated regeneration efforts;
  • Coalition Building: A coalition was formed with partners like The GoDown Arts Centre, Slum Dwellers International, Akiba Mashinani Trust, and the Public Space Network to advocate for a more inclusive and community-driven approach to relocations and river regeneration planning;
  • Documentation and Advocacy: The project documented the impact of demolitions and advocated for dignified relocation plans.

solution

The Flowing Together project successfully facilitated community input into discussions on Nairobi’s river regeneration.

The project provided a platform for residents to engage directly with the NRC, while the coalition’s advocacy efforts led to a solidarity statement urging the government to adopt more humane and inclusive approaches to riparian clearance. Dialogues, coalition meetings, a community town hall, and media engagements helped amplify community voices, promoting greater transparency and accountability from the government.

impact

Through this project, the Flowing Together Coalition emerged as a voice for justice, raising awareness of the NRC's work and uniting residents and stakeholders across Nairobi.

The coalition’s advocacy amplified the voices of those affected by government demolitions, issued a solidarity statement highlighting the profound impacts on displaced communities, and gathered critical data on affected residents. This collective action spotlighted the urgent needs of vulnerable communities and called for greater accountability as well as for support for fair, inclusive urban development policies.

moving forward

Ongoing demolitions since April 2024, coupled with insufficient relocation support, have left many residents feeling frustrated. NRC’s plans still need to fully address these inclusivity concerns. The Flowing Together Coalition remains dedicated to advocating for residents’ rights and fostering a more equitable regeneration process that leaves no one behind. The coalition will seek resources to support communities affected by riparian demolitions, addressing grievances related to flooding and government-led displacements.