Nairobi Reservoir Rehabilitation Project Photo Essay
November 1, 2021

In September 2021, Patrick Odhiambo and Ben Buhl of Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) toured the Nairobi Reservoir and Dam in Nairobi, the world-class capital of the Republic of Kenya in Africa. What Patrick, a seasoned environmental remediation specialist, and Ben, a widely traveled and accomplished photojournalist, observed was disturbing; trash including discarded plastic and other solid waste was being transported by wind and water to the reservoir where it has engulfed large areas adjacent to the surrounding informal settlement of Kibera. Home to over 350,000 people, Kibera is one of the largest such settlements in the world. With no land to spare, people have built homes and planted gardens around the entire perimeter of Nairobi Reservoir, trusting that they won’t be washed away by periodic flooding of the Nairobi River and its tributaries. 

  

Severely polluted and overgrown by the pernicious and seemingly un-eradicable water hyacinth, a non-native aquatic weed originally found in the Amazon Basin, Nairobi Reservoir poses serious health risks to nearby residents. It is no longer suitable for agricultural, domestic, or recreational use. Left untreated, the ongoing inputs of municipal and industrial waste risk bringing disease, and further environmental degradation to the Kibera community. Something must be done soon to avoid further environmental and societal impacts to the residents of Kibera.

 

EcoWB is working with Empower the Community (ETCO), a youth-focused Community Based Organization (CBO), founded and headquartered in Kibera, and has reached out to other CBOs) and governmental entities to launch a large-scale project to restore the environmental integrity and associated beneficial uses of the of Nairobi Reservoir to their former condition. 


During their visit in September 2021, Ben and Patrick, escorted by ETCO founder and Chairman Collince Onyango, met with officials at the Nairobi West Prison, located near the dam, and later, with the Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) and New Nairobi Dam Community group (NNDC), both long-active and influential CBOs based in Kibera. Together with ETCO, EcoWB has begun to formulate a vision and plan to engage sponsors and residents of Kibera in the rehabilitation of Nairobi Reservoir. Our first planned activity is modest but very symbolic; EcoWB and ETCO are partnering on a series of one-day community clean-up events. With the goal of removing trash, planting trees, and restoring the natural features of sections of reservoir and tributary shorelines, this initial partnership aims to engage local residents and instill civic pride through the restoration of clean and usable open spaces and associated environmental amenities. 


So that you may help us address the many challenges faced by the Kibera community, we invite you to join us as a financial sponsor of the Nairobi Reservoir Restoration Project (NRRP). To familiarize yourself with the conditions that currently exist, and to help us develop a strategic plan to restore the reservoir to a semblance of its former state, please take time to view the following photo and video essay. We believe that by bearing witness to the problem, you will feel compelled to support this critical effort. If you would like to be notified of future volunteer opportunities related to this project, please register as a volunteer on our website at  https://www.ecowb.org/ecowb-volunteers . 

 

To support the project with a financial contribution, please visit our donation page  and select “Project: Nairobi Reservoir Rehabilitation Project” from the drop-down menu. We appreciate your support. 

Outlet from the earthen dam with flow to nearby Mbagathi River.

Dense growth of vegetation in what was previously open water of the Nairobi Reservoir. 

With over 250,000 residents, Kibera is the largest slum in Africa, and the fourth largest in the world. Large quantities of waste, including discarded trash, human feces and other hazardous substances, are conveyed via ditches and natural waterways into Nairobi Reservoir.

EcoWB’s Patrick Odhiambo and ETCO’s Collince Onyango survey a section of the Motoine/Ngong River that flows through Kibera. This river segment lies approximately 200 meters west of Nairobi Reservoir, and is the site of a future clean-up event being planned by EcoWB, Nairobi Metropolitan Services, ETCO, and other local organizations. 

Supporting Those in Need During Uncertain Times

By Becky Muston • June 4, 2025
As a volunteer-supported ecological assistance organization, EcoWB contributes to the vital work of the international aid community—supporting humanitarian and conservation efforts where ecological expertise can make a meaningful difference. In recent months, critical funding and staffing for international aid once provided through U.S. government programs have been withdrawn. The effects are already visible: environmental and humanitarian programs paused, local teams let go, and progress at risk of stalling. Among the efforts most affected are those tackling biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, water pollution, and climate change—areas where EcoWB has long provided professional expertise and hands-on project support. In response, we’re actively looking for opportunities to support projects that need ecological guidance or technical capacity to keep going. With our global network of skilled volunteers, we’re well placed to step in where others no longer can. If you know of places, partners, or organizations where environmental needs are going unmet—or if you're looking to make a meaningful impact— we’d love to hear from you . We also encourage those with the means to do so to take a moment: research the organizations struggling on the frontlines, see where funding may have been cut, and consider offering your support. Now more than ever, action matters—whether it’s donating, volunteering, or simply amplifying the work that still needs doing. 

EcoWB Welcomes Biljana Aljinovic as Program Manager

May 24, 2025
We are delighted to announce that Biljana Aljinovic has joined Ecologists Without Borders as our new Program Manager. Biljana brings over 15 years of experience in international conservation, having led projects across Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Her work spans both marine and terrestrial ecosystems and covers a wide range of areas, including sustainable fisheries, climate adaptation, marine regeneration, and environmental policy. She holds an MSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Padua, Italy. Raised on Mljet, a biodiverse island in the Croatian Adriatic, Biljana developed a deep connection to nature early in life. This connection has fueled her commitment to conservation and her focus on long-term impact and collaboration with local communities. In her role at EcoWB, Biljana will oversee our expanding portfolio of environmental projects, support the development of new initiatives in collaboration with partner organizations and communities worldwide, and help strengthen our internal systems to ensure we can respond swiftly and effectively to emerging needs. We’re excited to welcome Biljana to the EcoWB staff team and look forward to the expertise and energy she brings to this important role.