Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has said 40,000 households have voluntarily relocated the riparian reserves of Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong Rivers and other mini tributaries.
Kindiki on Friday said the households comprised 181,000 persons.
He had toured the ongoing reclamation and rehabilitation works on various sections of the Nairobi Rivers Corridor.
"The government notes with appreciation the cooperation of the public, on the ongoing programme to evacuate persons whose presence on riparian corridors within the Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem poses grave danger to their lives, as witnessed during the torrential flooding last month," he said.
The CS said the state has already honoured the pledge to support each household with Sh10,000 to support them settle on alternative rental premises.
Kindiki noted that the families will be given priority in the Affordable Housing Programme.
"Erecting buildings and structures within the 30-metre riparian corridor is prohibited in law, clogs the rivers, and exposes dwellers on riparian reserves to grave danger of loss of life and property," he said.
To prevent re-encroachment, Kindiki said the reclaimed riparian reserves are being trenched, and fenced and the planting of riverine ecosystem trees is underway.
He, therefore, noted that the state will utilise paid labour from the local community and purchase seedlings from local Community-Based Organisations and youth groups.
This, he said, will be in the reclamation and regeneration of the riparian corridor ecosystem.
Subsequently, the Interior CS said the Nairobi Rivers will be unclogged, drained and rehabilitated.
He said the exercise will take place with recreation facilities being established on both sides of the riparian reserves for access and use by members of the public for free.
"The reclamation of Nairobi Rivers Ecosystem will boost security for communities living around, eliminate the menace of illicit alcohol brewing, narcotic drugs peddling, and flush out dangerous criminals using the encroached riparian corridors as their hideouts," Kindiki said.
