The Mombasa County Government has announced plans to restore the environmental condition of Mtopanga River following pollution caused by improper waste disposal, encroachment on riverbanks and the discharge of untreated sewage.
Addressing the County Assembly, Environment Committee representative Milka Ngare said laboratory tests had established that the river water was unsafe for domestic use.
Ngare warned that the pollution was also threatening aquatic life, including tilapia and mudfish, while blockages and the narrowing of the river channel were increasing the risk of flooding.
Among the measures being implemented is a weekly clean-up exercise led by the Mtopanga River Community-Based Organisation, alongside waste recycling and tree-planting initiatives.
The county government is also working with the World Bank on flood mitigation efforts and plans to conduct environmental assessments in Junda and Mtopanga.
Other proposed interventions include establishing and officially surveying the river’s riparian reserve, preventing further encroachment and allocating funds for conservation activities.
The Department of Environment said the success of the restoration programme would depend on sustained funding, enforcement of environmental laws and cooperation between the county government and local residents.
