The Njururi Initiative was launched with a Future Design Basecamp, bringing together key stakeholders, including the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), the Water Resources Authority (WRA), private sector partners, and local communities. This initiative outlines a clear vision for 2033, with strategic goals and action plans aimed at restoring the Thika River Basin Ecosystem (TRBE) and reintroducing the Njururi, a native water beetle, to the river.
Building a Collaborative Community
The initiative fosters a strong, inclusive community of problem-solvers, including NCWSC (WaterWorX partner) and WRA (Blue Deal partner), working in synergy to address the urgent environmental challenges faced by the region. The community is organised into five taskforces, each focusing on a specific area: biodiversity, policy, conservation, water quality & quantity, and recreation. A Coordinating Council oversees these taskforces, ensuring effective collaboration and progress.
The Matrix Organization: Driving Flexibility and Resilience
To enable efficient collaboration among the diverse stakeholders, the Matrix Organization has been designed. This structure promotes flexibility, speed, resilience, and cooperation between all involved, ensuring that urgent needs are met effectively.
The Njururi Fund: A Catalyst for Action
A key element of the initiative is the Njururi Fund, a financial instrument that supports the Matrix Organization by streamlining funding processes and sustaining the momentum of the action plans. The fund is essential in overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, enabling faster decision-making, and fostering unprecedented collaboration between stakeholders who have not traditionally worked together efficiently.
Aiming for a Sustainable Future
The ultimate goal of the Njururi Initiative is to restore the catchment area, revitalize the ecosystem, and strengthen partnerships for long-term sustainability. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, this initiative aims to overcome barriers and drive impactful change for the region’s environment and communities.