President William Ruto has appointed former Ol Kalou parliamentary candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga as a member of the Nairobi Rivers Commission, just days after he lost the July 16 by-election while contesting on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
The appointment was announced through a Special Gazette Notice dated July 22, 2026, in which the President named Muchina to the commission with immediate effect. The notice also revoked the appointment of Amos Chege Mugo, who previously served as a commissioner.
According to the gazette notice, President Ruto exercised powers granted under Gazette Notice No. 13907 of 2024, read together with Section 51(1) of the Interpretation and General Provisions Act, to make the latest changes to the commission’s membership.
The appointment comes less than a week after the highly contested Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, where Muchina suffered a heavy defeat to Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau despite an intensive campaign backed by Kenya Kwanza leaders.
Following the by-election, several leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration publicly urged President Ruto to consider appointing Muchina to a government position, arguing that he remained committed to the coalition despite his electoral setback.
His nomination is expected to fuel fresh political debate, with critics likely questioning the timing of the appointment, while supporters argue that public service opportunities should not be limited by the outcome of an election.
As a commissioner, Muchina will play a role in coordinating multi-agency efforts focused on restoring the Nairobi River Basin. The commission brings together different government agencies responsible for environmental conservation, infrastructure development, and urban planning across the capital.
The Nairobi Rivers Commission was established to spearhead the rehabilitation of the heavily polluted Nairobi River and its tributaries through coordinated interventions involving national and county governments, environmental agencies, and other stakeholders working toward long-term ecological restoration.
Among its key responsibilities are reclaiming riparian land, improving waste management, enhancing water quality, and promoting sustainable environmental practices. The commission also aims to transform Nairobi’s rivers into green-blue infrastructure supporting biodiversity, recreation, climate resilience, and economic development.
Muchina now joins the commission at a time when the government has intensified efforts to clean up the Nairobi River, improve sanitation, relocate illegal structures along riparian reserves, and restore one of the country’s most environmentally significant urban ecosystems.