At Karura Forest, we kicked off the year the best way we know how, by rolling up our sleeves and caring for nature. On the morning of Thursday, 8th January 2026, our staff came together for a river clean-up exercise, reaffirming our commitment to protecting the lifelines that keep this forest alive.
Did you know that five rivers flow through Karura Forest? These are Karura River, Ruaka River, Gitathuru River, Thigiri River and Mathare River.
The Karura River begins its journey in Limuru and flows through the forest, giving us the much-loved Karura Falls along the way. The Ruaka River, which originates from the Ruaka area, also boasts a beautiful waterfall. Gitathuru River forms the southern boundary of the Sigiria section of the forest, while Thigiri River marks the northern boundary on the same side. The Mathare (Mathari) River flows south of Muthaiga Road before eventually joining the Nairobi River at Dandora.
These rivers are far more than just flowing water, they are places of calm beauty, beacons for many visitors who attest that standing by the rivers or waterfalls is one of the most peaceful experiences in the forest.
They support the forest’s plants and wildlife, provide habitats for water birds, amphibians, insects, and countless other organisms, helping to maintain the delicate balance of Karura’s ecosystems. The discovery of a few families of the African Clawless Otter has been a very exciting development for us at Karura. This species is the largest freshwater otter species in the world, and their presence in Karura’s rivers is a good indicator that the rivers are in recovery and have a good diversity of aquatic fauna to support this otter species. In Kenya, the African Clawless Otter can also be found in areas such as Laikipia, Masai Mara and Meru.
As the rivers travel beyond their sources, they pass through areas of human settlement. Sadly, this often means that wastewater, plastics, and other litter are dumped into the rivers. Over time, rubbish builds up in slower-moving sections, blocking natural flow and threatening the plants and animals that depend on clean water to survive.
That’s why, about twice a year, the Karura Forest family, staff, partners, and passionate environmental champions, come together to clean up the rivers and reduce this damage. This year’s clean-up was organised by the Friends of Karura (FKF) Research Department who coordinated all Karura staff, including teams from Friends of Karura (FKF), the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and the Karura Forest Environmental Education Trust (KFEET), all working side by side for a healthier forest. This initiative focused mainly on clean-up of Mathare River.
Well done, and many thanks to Peter Fundi of FKF for organising and leading this very important exercise. Protecting Karura’s rivers is a shared responsibility, and everyone is invited to be part of the solution. We look forward to having many more volunteers join us for the next clean-up, and to help us to amplify conservation advocacy by sensitizing everyone on the importance of reducing plastic use in our daily lives, disposing of waste responsibly, and speaking up for our rivers wherever we live. Every small action counts today, and for future generations.
Julie Kimutai
Manager, KFEET
The Karura Forest Environmental Education Trust — KFEET — was established in 2010 to promote environmental education and provide a centre for learning about forest ecosystems.
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