The Kenyan Senate has ordered a fresh audit of land along the Nairobi River corridor before any further evictions are carried out. This decision comes amid unresolved claims of intimidation, displacement, and lack of compensation from affected residents. The Senate Lands Committee, led by Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, has directed the National Land Commission, Nairobi county, and Nairobi Rivers Commission to conduct a joint survey to establish the exact river boundary and historical movement of the river.
The committee's report, adopted by the Senate, also orders the agencies to map the exact coordinates of the Nairobi River Corridor Special Planning Area within six months. This area, declared a Special Planning Area by Nairobi county in March 2025, covers a 60-metre buffer zone along the river, comprising a 30-metre riparian corridor and an additional 30-metre development area measured from the high-water mark. The area stretches from Naivasha Road to Ruai and includes tributaries of the Nairobi River.
Residents of Korogocho had petitioned the Senate over alleged forced evictions after Nairobi county declared the river corridor a Special Planning Area. They claimed to have been excluded from meaningful consultations, with some people evicted in an earlier operation in 2024 still awaiting compensation. The committee found that Nairobi county had followed procedures in declaring the Special Planning Area but noted that some communities may have been left out of consultations.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission told senators that the declaration of the Special Planning Area did not by itself authorise evictions or demolitions without legal justification, resettlement plans, or compensation. The county denied forced or unlawful evictions in Korogocho, saying no demolition had been undertaken and ground pegging had not started when it responded to the committee. However, the National Land Commission said the planning process for the Special Planning Area had not commenced, partly due to a lack of resources.
The committee ordered the National Land Commission to investigate eviction, resettlement, and compensation claims within six months and directed agencies to involve community leaders and elected representatives in implementation. The report also emphasised the need for the government to settle pending compensation claims and ensure that any future evictions are preceded by clear compensation and resettlement plans.
The Senate Lands Committee stressed that any planned evictions should be conducted humanely, with adequate consultation through public participation together with residents and their local leaders. Residents should not be subjected to intimidation or threats as the government implements the river regeneration programme. The committee's recommendations aim to balance the need for river regeneration with the rights and interests of affected communities.
The implementation of the river regeneration programme will require collaboration between the national government, county government, and various agencies, including the National Land Commission, Nairobi county, and Nairobi Rivers Commission. The programme's success will depend on the effective involvement of community leaders and elected representatives, as well as transparent and fair compensation and resettlement processes for affected residents.
Key points
- The Kenyan Senate has ordered a fresh audit of land along the Nairobi River corridor before any further evictions are carried out.
- The audit aims to establish the exact river boundary and historical movement of the river, as well as map the exact coordinates of the Nairobi River Corridor Special Planning Area.
- The Senate has directed agencies to involve community leaders and elected representatives in implementation and to settle pending compensation claims.
