President Ruto launches Climate WorX to restore Nairobi river and create 200,000 jobs

Climate WorX to create 200,00 jobs 

President William Ruto has announced that National Government Administration Officers will play a crucial role in restoring the Nairobi River Basin as part of a new government initiative set to launch on October 1st.

This initiative, known as Climate WorX, will mobilize 20,000 young Kenyans to rehabilitate the 47-kilometer stretch of the river. The goal is to transform the river into a thriving commercial and recreational area, further enhancing Nairobi’s position as Kenya’s capital and a global environmental leader, particularly given its status as the host city for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

“Nairobi, as the capital and host of UNEP, cannot afford to have its river in such a polluted state. The current condition of the Nairobi River cannot be the face of Kenya,” President Ruto stressed during a meeting with National Government Administration Officers at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete.

He was accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and several Cabinet Secretaries, including Kithure Kindiki, Aden Duale, and Justin Muturi.

The President called on the officers to support the government’s environmental efforts by ensuring the Climate WorX programme is implemented transparently and inclusively, free from political interference, tribalism, or corruption. He underscored the importance of fairness in the program, emphasizing that it should create opportunities for as many young Kenyans as possible.

Ruto also reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing Nairobi’s slum challenges through the Affordable Housing Programme, further linking environmental restoration with broader urban development goals.

National Rollout and Long-Term Vision

Initially, the Climate WorX programme will focus on Nairobi, before expanding to other major cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret. Eventually, it will be rolled out across all counties, creating an estimated 200,000 jobs nationwide.

“This programme is a vital component of our national climate action plan. Climate change is no longer a distant issue—it is an immediate threat to our survival,” President Ruto said.

The initiative will focus on a range of activities including tree planting, road construction, affordable housing, solid waste management, and public education on environmental conservation.

Combatting Corruption and Strengthening Security

In addition to the environmental agenda, President Ruto called on Kenyans to actively fight corruption by refusing to pay bribes for government services and reporting any public officials demanding kickbacks. “If you pay for a free government service, you are just as guilty as the person asking for the bribe,” he cautioned.

The President also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering National Government Administration Officers to address crime at the grassroots level, citing their success in previous initiatives such as the Subsidized Fertilizer and Community Health Promoters Programmes.

Tackling Pollution and Promoting Housing

Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale vowed strict measures against institutions responsible for polluting the Nairobi River, noting that many offenders have already been identified. Interior CS Kithure Kindiki emphasized the need to depoliticize the river restoration efforts, framing the project as both an environmental and security imperative.

“We are not doing this for politics. We are doing this for the good of the country and for the benefit of future generations,” Kindiki said.

Deputy President Gachagua echoed these sentiments, urging officers to take their environmental conservation responsibilities seriously.