Several national and multi-national companies based in Nairobi have committed to the achievement of NRBP-Phase III process. This partnership has galvanised efforts towards the restoration and rehabilitation of Nairobi Dam as a reservoir for emergency water supply and recreational purposes through the Nairobi Dam Trust (inaugurated 22 September, 2004).

On 16 August, 2007, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Government of Kenya and UNILEVER-Kenya hosted a private sector cocktail reception and dialogue on the rehabilitation of the Nairobi River Basin at the Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi. The purpose of the ceremony was to widen the challenge to a broader section of society to participate in addressing environmental issues that affect Nairobi residents and populations that use the Athi River water downstream.

The Chief Guest at the reception was Hon. David Mwiraria, EGH. MP., Minister for Environment and Natural Resources, Kenya. More than 120 participants from thirty (30) major private sector companies based in Nairobi and eleven (11) media houses attended the event. Several pledges and contributions towards restoration of the Nairobi Dam and the Nairobi River Basin were made UNEP and the Belgian Embassy donated USD 150,000 (approx. KSh. 10 Million) to support the Information and Communication Strategy of the project in order to sustain the interest of the city's residents towards the rehabilitation of the rivers passing through the city.

The UNEP Executive Director, in his message emphasised that the Nairobi River is the 'life-blood' of the city, yet it has become its greatest hazard and Achilles heel. It is therefore imperative on the City's residents to mobilised both financial and human capital to rehabilitate the riverine ecosystem. [ Dialogue Photogallery ] - [ Support List ]

The private sector has identified specific areas as entry points into the NRBP-Phase III framework. Private sector participation for NRBP started in earnest with the launching of the Nairobi Dam Trust Initiative in March 2004, an event which attracted high-level political leadership – Kenya’s Vice President.  UN agencies were represented at the level of the executive directors of UNEP and UN-Habitat, and UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative.  Several companies based in Nairobi (both local and multi-nationals) have since committed themselves to the achievement of the NRBP-Phase III process at different levels with a combination of cash and in-kind contributions for Results 2, 3, 4 and 5.  As Nairobi Dam is an integral part of the Nairobi River Basin ecosystem, the participation of the Government of Kenya at this high level during the launch signalled the requisite political support and endorsement of the proposed interventions for the restoration of the Nairobi River Basin ecosystem.

The private sector has committed to engage in:
» Water quality monitoring
» Waste (solid and liquid) management
» Catchment rehabilitation
» Creation of public awareness
» Rehabilitation and restoration of Nairobi Dam