Ruto Appoints Samuel Muchina to Nairobi Rivers Commission After Ol Kalou By-Election
News Updated: 22 July 2026 16:30 EAT
Photo Courtesy: President William Samoei Ruto has appointed Ol Kalou UDA Candidate Samuel Muchina for Nairobi River Commission
President William Ruto has appointed Samuel Muchina Nyaga, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate in the recently concluded Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, as a member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission for a three-year term.
The appointment was made through a Special Gazette Notice dated July 22, 2026. In the same notice, President Ruto revoked the appointment of Amos Chege Mugo, who previously served as a member of the commission, clearing the way for Muchina to assume the position.
Muchina contested the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election held on July 16, 2026, on a UDA ticket but lost to Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau. The by-election was conducted following a vacancy in the constituency's parliamentary seat.
His appointment comes days after Kenya Kwanza leaders publicly expressed confidence in him despite the electoral defeat, with calls for him to continue serving in government through other public assignments.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission is mandated to coordinate the restoration, rehabilitation and sustainable management of the Nairobi River Basin. It works closely with national government ministries, county governments, regulatory agencies and development partners to implement river restoration programmes.
The commission also oversees efforts to reclaim riparian land, improve sanitation, reduce pollution, restore degraded ecosystems and enhance environmental conservation within the Nairobi metropolitan region.
Its mandate extends beyond Nairobi County to cover sections of Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado and Makueni counties that form part of the Nairobi River Basin, reflecting the multi-county nature of the restoration programme.
As a commissioner, Muchina will participate in policy oversight, coordination of river restoration initiatives, stakeholder engagement and monitoring of projects aimed at improving water quality and protecting the river ecosystem.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission was established to spearhead the government's long-term strategy of rehabilitating the Nairobi River and its tributaries while supporting urban renewal, environmental sustainability and improved public health within the Nairobi metropolitan area.
Muchina's appointment takes effect immediately and he will serve a three-year term on the commission as the government continues implementing the Nairobi Rivers Basin Regeneration Programme.
The appointment marks Muchina's first national government role following the Ol Kalou by-election and places him among officials tasked with advancing one of the government's flagship environmental restoration initiatives.
The Special Gazette Notice confirms that Amos Chege Mugo ceases to serve as a commissioner, with Muchina assuming the position under the powers vested in the President.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD