Ruto Appoints Bishop Margaret Wanjiru and Millicent Omanga to Key Roles in Nairobi Rivers Commission

President William Ruto has appointed former Starehe Member of Parliament, Bishop Margret Wanjiru, as the chairperson of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, with former Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga joining as a member. The appointments were announced via a Gazette Notice dated October 25, 2024. This move signals the President’s ongoing commitment to addressing Nairobi’s environmental concerns and revitalizing the city’s polluted river system. These strategic appointments also reflect Ruto’s focus on reassigning individuals from previous roles to contribute to critical government projects and agencies.

This announcement comes at a time when the Nairobi Rivers Commission, established in February 2023, is undergoing a structural change, shifting from the Office of the President to the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. The transfer aims to align the commission’s mandate more closely with urban development goals and to ensure robust inter-agency collaboration for riverine restoration efforts.

The Role of the Nairobi Rivers Commission

The Nairobi Rivers Commission was launched with a clear objective: to rehabilitate, protect, and restore the deteriorated Nairobi River and its tributaries, which have suffered from years of neglect and pollution. Once recognized as the ‘City in the Sun,’ Nairobi’s environmental degradation, particularly in its river systems, has marred its reputation and harmed urban livability. Addressing these issues, the commission was set up with several key responsibilities, including monitoring compliance with environmental laws, coordinating multiple agencies involved in restoration projects, and integrating lessons from past restoration efforts to ensure a sustainable approach.

One of the primary mandates of the commission involves reviewing historical attempts to reclaim the Nairobi River and incorporating findings from these initiatives. Through these actions, the commission seeks to implement an evidence-based, collaborative strategy to oversee and enforce rehabilitation efforts. This restructuring and the addition of new members highlight Ruto’s intention to reinforce the commission’s agenda with effective leadership and to ensure it meets its environmental goals for Nairobi.

Why Wanjiru and Omanga?

The selection of Bishop Margret Wanjiru and Millicent Omanga for these roles stems from their established public service records and their political affiliations within the current administration. Bishop Wanjiru, known for her significant grassroots support and leadership background, brings a strong sense of commitment to urban communities. Her experience and network are seen as vital in mobilizing community efforts to support the commission’s ambitious environmental plans. Her deep community ties could help bridge gaps between the commission’s plans and the on-the-ground realities faced by Nairobi’s riverine communities.

Millicent Omanga, with her former role as a Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Cooperatives, is also expected to bring valuable administrative and policy-making experience to the team. Despite her short tenure as a CAS, Omanga’s political influence and connections within Nairobi’s urban setting could facilitate coordination across various sectors that the commission needs to engage. Notably, her appointment is seen as part of a broader move by the Ruto administration to place politically aligned individuals in key positions, which may help streamline government directives in sensitive sectors like environmental restoration.

Both Wanjiru and Omanga had previously held CAS positions in the Ministries of Interior and Cooperatives, respectively, before their roles were nullified by the court, which questioned the legality of the CAS positions. Their reappointments to the Nairobi Rivers Commission represent a shift to different roles within government that still capitalize on their experience while aligning with President Ruto’s environmental priorities.

The Nairobi Rivers Commission: Challenges and Controversies

Although the Nairobi Rivers Commission has a well-defined mandate, it has faced significant challenges and controversies since its establishment. A March 2024 report from the Auditor General revealed irregularities in payments made to the commission’s members, totaling KSh 17.8 million. The audit, conducted by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, scrutinized the commission’s budget allocations and revealed that members had received payments as full-time employees, a practice that was not stipulated in their official appointments.

The audit raised concerns over transparency and accountability within the commission, noting that the appointment letters and the Gazette Notice did not specify a full-time commitment for the commissioners. The lack of clear documentation for full-time appointments was highlighted as a breach of procedure, with the Auditor General recommending the recovery of these funds. Such findings raised questions about the commission’s financial management and cast a shadow over its public credibility.

The commission, initially funded with KSh 100 million from the Office of the Deputy President, has since been directed to rectify these anomalies. Following the transfer to the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, the commission is expected to adopt stricter financial oversight to avoid further mismanagement.

The Expanded Team

The current commission comprises a diverse set of members from various sectors, aiming to ensure a multi-faceted approach to environmental restoration. The new members include Mumo Musuva from Nairobi County, Grace Senewa from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Eva Muhia representing riverine communities, Elizabeth Wathuti from the civil society, Carlota Dal Lago representing the private sector, and academicians like Eng. Elija Biama and Duncan Ojwang. This expanded team structure emphasizes the government’s intention to bring together different perspectives and expertise to create a well-rounded approach to environmental conservation.

A Renewed Environmental Vision for Nairobi

The Nairobi Rivers Commission has a comprehensive vision to restore the river basin to its former glory and address the broader environmental crisis that Nairobi faces. Decades of pollution, informal settlements, and industrial waste have contaminated Nairobi’s river systems, creating health hazards for nearby communities and contributing to the loss of biodiversity. The commission’s mission involves not only cleaning and restoring these rivers but also implementing preventive measures to protect the rivers from future degradation.

Under Bishop Wanjiru’s leadership, the commission is likely to emphasize collaboration with local communities, promoting environmentally sustainable practices and enhancing awareness about pollution’s impact. By engaging community stakeholders and promoting citizen involvement, the commission aims to create a lasting cultural shift toward environmental stewardship within Nairobi.

The team will work in collaboration with state departments, agencies, and ministries to ensure that efforts to clean the river align with broader urban development plans. From enforcing waste disposal regulations to ensuring the relocation of informal settlements that encroach on riverbanks, the commission has a multi-layered approach that involves tackling both immediate and long-term challenges.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The appointments of Bishop Margret Wanjiru and Millicent Omanga to the Nairobi Rivers Commission reflect President Ruto’s ongoing strategy to position experienced leaders in roles that address critical national issues. By transferring the commission’s mandate to the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, the government aims to intensify its focus on Nairobi’s urban environment, tackling pollution and river restoration through integrated policy efforts.

While the commission’s mission is ambitious, its past challenges particularly those involving financial mismanagement underscore the need for transparency and adherence to regulations as it moves forward. As Bishop Wanjiru and Omanga step into their new roles, they are faced with the responsibility of steering the Nairobi Rivers Commission toward achieving a cleaner, healthier river ecosystem that benefits both Nairobi’s residents and its natural environment.

The initiative’s success will rely heavily on collaborative governance, accountability, and the commission’s ability to foster a sense of shared responsibility among Nairobi’s communities. If successful, the commission’s work could set a precedent for other environmental projects across Kenya, positioning Nairobi as a pioneer in urban environmental rehabilitation and restoration. The city’s ‘City in the Sun’ status might yet be revived, promising a greener, cleaner future for Kenya’s capital and its residents.