In 2019, the Kenyan government announced plans to hire an independent dam expert to assess the safety and economic viability of Nairobi Dam, citing decades of mismanagement and structural risks. The initiative follows concerns about the 1946-built structure, which has deteriorated into a polluted waterway under Nairobi County Government stewardship.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko confirmed to Parliament that a multi-agency technical team is overseeing the procurement process for the expert. The assessment will precede potential demolition of structures near the dam, including the Seefar Apartments, which have been linked to safety controversies.
The Water Resources Authority (WRA) and National Environment Management Authority (Nema) were excluded from direct evaluation due to their vested interests in the dam's future. The independent expert will produce risk maps identifying vulnerable residents and properties, alongside an economic analysis of the dam's value and recommendations for its management.
The study aims to inform decisions on whether to repair, maintain, or abandon the structure, with findings expected to guide policy on one of Nairobi's oldest infrastructure projects. The dam, constructed during British colonial rule, has faced criticism for environmental degradation and safety hazards over the past seven decades.
