Ex-MP Millicent Omanga Declines President Ruto’s Appointment to Nairobi Rivers Commission

Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga publicly declined President William Ruto’s appointment to the Nairobi Rivers Commission, a body tasked with rehabilitating and restoring the environmental integrity of Nairobi’s riverine basin. Omanga expressed gratitude for being considered for such an important role but cited “personal reasons” for her decision to decline the offer, raising questions about the challenges facing the commission and Kenya’s broader environmental restoration efforts.

Background on the Nairobi Rivers Commission

President Ruto launched the Nairobi Rivers Commission in February 2023 as part of a broader environmental initiative aimed at reviving the degraded ecosystems within Nairobi County. This commission was established following persistent concerns over pollution, encroachment, and illegal dumping that have led to the deterioration of Nairobi’s rivers. The Nairobi River, which once symbolized the city’s “green” reputation, has suffered from extensive pollution over recent decades, turning its waters into a toxic mix that has threatened public health and biodiversity in the region.

The primary mandate of the Nairobi Rivers Commission is comprehensive: to coordinate all efforts related to the rehabilitation, protection, and restoration of the Nairobi riverine basin. The commission is also tasked with reviewing previous reports on reclamation efforts, drawing insights from past projects to improve current initiatives, and implementing sustainable, long-term solutions. In addition, the commission oversees compliance with environmental regulations and collaborates with relevant state agencies to ensure that environmental laws are upheld within Nairobi’s catchment areas.

Omanga’s Rejection and Its Implications

Millicent Omanga’s refusal to join the commission has garnered significant public and media attention. Her statement, released shortly after the announcement of her appointment, expressed her gratitude to President Ruto and acknowledged the commission’s importance to Nairobi’s future. Omanga stated, “It’s truly a privilege to be considered for such a vital role in improving our beloved Nairobi’s environment and public health,” adding that, after careful thought, she would be declining the offer due to personal reasons. While she refrained from detailing these reasons, her decision highlights the potential complexities surrounding this role.

Omanga’s decision comes as she was expected to take over the position previously held by former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, who was embroiled in controversy regarding his appointment. Waititu’s inclusion in the commission faced public scrutiny and a subsequent court challenge, underscoring the political and social sensitivities involved in appointing commission members for such crucial national initiatives.

The timing of Omanga’s rejection may reflect broader challenges within the Nairobi Rivers Commission. Appointees to the commission are expected to balance diverse stakeholder interests while navigating significant regulatory and environmental hurdles. This task is particularly complex given the history of failed or incomplete rehabilitation projects and the deeply entrenched issues of industrial pollution, residential waste dumping, and informal settlements that line Nairobi’s rivers.

The Role of the Nairobi Rivers Commission in Environmental Restoration

The Nairobi Rivers Commission is part of a national strategy to address environmental degradation in urban areas. The initiative’s goals extend beyond merely cleaning up the rivers; they encompass a holistic approach that considers Nairobi’s long-term sustainability and public health. By rehabilitating the rivers, the commission seeks to reclaim Nairobi’s “City in the Sun” status, a moniker it held in its earlier days when the capital city was celebrated for its scenic beauty and ecological richness.

This restoration effort also has public health implications, as residents in neighborhoods near the rivers are exposed to contaminated water that can cause various health issues. Given that water from Nairobi’s rivers eventually flows into critical water bodies, the pollution within these rivers can have cascading negative effects on ecosystems and human communities well beyond Nairobi.

In addition to environmental health, the commission’s work aims to preserve the economic value that Nairobi’s natural spaces bring to the city. Cleaner rivers would support Nairobi’s tourism sector, improve the quality of life for city residents, and potentially attract investments. However, achieving these outcomes requires a high level of coordination, transparency, and commitment, as well as resources and expertise from environmental scientists, engineers, and community organizations.

Challenges and Criticisms of the Commission’s Approach

Despite the ambitious objectives set forth by President Ruto and the government, the Nairobi Rivers Commission has faced criticism for several reasons. First, there are longstanding concerns regarding the efficacy of state-led environmental projects, with many Kenyans pointing to past initiatives that have failed to meet their goals. Government initiatives to clean up Nairobi’s rivers have often fallen short due to a combination of mismanagement, corruption, and lack of accountability.

Another challenge stems from the complexity of coordinating multiple stakeholders, including private industries, government agencies, local communities, and non-governmental organizations. Industrial factories, for instance, often contribute significantly to river pollution by discharging waste into the waterways, yet efforts to regulate and penalize such actions have proven insufficient. Addressing this issue requires stringent regulatory measures, enhanced enforcement mechanisms, and, perhaps most importantly, the political will to confront powerful business interests.

The commission also faces operational challenges related to resource mobilization. Comprehensive river rehabilitation is a resource-intensive process that demands funding for waste management infrastructure, environmental monitoring, and community outreach. While the commission has a mandate to collaborate with various state agencies, the adequacy of funding and inter-agency cooperation will ultimately determine the initiative’s success or failure.

The Road Ahead for the Nairobi Rivers Commission

Following Omanga’s decision, the Nairobi Rivers Commission may face renewed pressure to demonstrate its commitment to the task at hand. In her statement, Omanga reiterated her support for the commission’s mission, expressing her willingness to contribute to Nairobi’s environmental rehabilitation efforts in capacities that align better with her current commitments. Her comments reflect a broader sentiment among some political and civil society figures that environmental restoration is a national priority that requires widespread involvement.

To gain traction and succeed, the commission will need to bolster public confidence by demonstrating transparency in its activities, including the selection of commission members. Public skepticism remains high, particularly given the perceived politicization of appointments to the commission. As seen with the controversy surrounding Waititu, the commission’s effectiveness depends heavily on the credibility of its members.

Furthermore, the commission’s success will likely hinge on the adoption of evidence-based approaches and sustained community engagement. Local communities, especially those living along Nairobi’s rivers, have a crucial role to play in the restoration process. Community involvement can enhance accountability and foster a sense of shared responsibility for the health of the city’s rivers, making rehabilitation efforts more sustainable.

Conclusion: A Call for National Commitment to Environmental Restoration

Millicent Omanga’s decision to decline President Ruto’s appointment to the Nairobi Rivers Commission brings attention to the challenges that face Kenya’s environmental initiatives. Despite her departure, the commission’s work is essential to Nairobi’s future and has the potential to transform the city’s ecological and public health landscape. However, achieving this transformation will require dedication, effective leadership, and a collective commitment to overcoming entrenched obstacles.

With increasing urbanization, Nairobi’s environmental challenges have become more pressing, and the government’s ability to restore the rivers could serve as a blueprint for addressing other environmental concerns across the country. The commission must navigate complex socio-political dynamics and provide accountability to the public while remaining steadfast in its mandate to restore the Nairobi River to its former glory.