The exercise, which begins on December 22, aims to protect waterways, restore damaged ecosystems, and guide a long-term plan to clean up and regenerate the Nairobi Rivers Corridor.
According to the statement issued on Friday, the ministry will work with several government agencies to inspect every riverbank, identify illegal developments, and map out protected areas that have been encroached over the years.
The exercise follows an April 2024 Cabinet directive that instructed the Lands Ministry to complete boundary marking along all major rivers flowing through the capital.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome confirmed that the operation will cover the Nairobi, Mathare and Ngong rivers, as well as smaller tributaries such as Miotoni, Mokoyeti, Mbagathi, Ruaka, Gethathuru and Kibagare.
These water sources form the backbone of the wider watershed that feeds the city, and many of them have long suffered pollution, flooding, and unregulated development.
The ministry noted that for years, boundary confusion and inconsistent river reference points had resulted in misuse of riparian zones.
The new exercise will rely on both high and low watermark guidelines to determine the correct boundaries, ensuring that natural buffers around rivers are protected from encroachment.
In the notice, the ministry stated that any buildings, settlements, or activities found inside restricted areas will be handled according to the law.
However, officials emphasised that enforcement will follow proper procedure, with affected individuals receiving notices, opportunities for public participation, and full respect for property rights.
A multi-agency team will manage the entire operation. The group includes officials from the Directors of Physical Planning and Surveys, National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), the Water Resources Authority, NEMA, Nairobi City County and the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Together, they will move property by property along all targeted rivers, mark boundaries, record land use details, and document any unauthorized structures.
To complete the mapping accurately, survey teams will need access to private compounds located near riverbanks.
Property owners and residents have been advised to allow the teams to enter their premises to take measurements, inspect developments, and verify whether existing structures follow environmental and physical planning laws.
Owners may also be required to present key documents during the verification stage.
These include title deeds, lease agreements, deed plans, building approvals, development permits, and environmental clearance certificates previously issued by the Water Resources Authority or NEMA.
The ministry stressed that the verification process is meant to identify which developments are legal and which ones may have been built inside protected or flood-prone areas.
The demarcation marks the first major step in the larger Nairobi Rivers regeneration initiative launched by the government.
The programme seeks to restore natural riverbanks, reduce flooding risk, eliminate pollution hotspots, and transform river corridors into clean, safe spaces for communities.
Environmental experts have long argued that restoring natural buffers around rivers is one of the most effective ways to control flooding in Nairobi.
With rapid urbanisation, many riparian areas have been converted into residential or commercial spaces, blocking water flow and increasing the severity of floods during the rainy season.
CS Wahome explained that once the boundaries are established, the government will use the information to guide clean-up operations, relocation plans, and future development rules.
She added that the goal is not only to reclaim riverbanks, but also to ensure Nairobi’s rivers can gradually return to their natural ecological state.
The operation is expected to set the foundation for long-term environmental protection in the city, offering a structured approach to address pollution, enforce planning regulations, and protect communities living near rivers.
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