JMACC

 The Joint Multi-Agency Coordination Centre (JMACC) is a specialized unit established within the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) to enhance coordinated implementation of the Nairobi Rivers Regeneration Programme. The Centre serves as a central coordination hub that brings together relevant government agencies and stakeholders to harmonize efforts aimed at cleaning, restoring, and sustainably managing Nairobi’s rivers. Through strengthened collaboration, oversight, and monitoring, JMACC ensures that interventions are aligned, efficient, and impactful, contributing to the long-term goal of transforming Nairobi’s rivers into healthy ecosystems that support urban development and improve residents’ quality of life.

JMACC operates as a multi-agency platform comprising officers drawn from National Government Ministries, State Departments, County Governments, and other relevant institutions. Key agencies represented include the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Nairobi City County Government, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Water Resources Authority (WRA), and the NRC technical team, among other partners involved in environmental management, enforcement, security, and infrastructure development. This integrated structure enables the pooling of technical expertise, regulatory authority, and operational capacity in support of basin-wide interventions.

The Centre’s core mandate is to plan, coordinate, and manage joint multi-agency operations across the Nairobi River Basin. It supports the development, implementation, and review of policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures that guide joint operations, ensuring clarity of roles, harmonized processes, and shared objectives among participating institutions.

Operationally, JMACC serves as the central coordination and communication hub for field activities along the river corridor. It consolidates and analyses information from surveillance teams, River Connect kiosks, and other reporting channels, and provides regular situation updates to support timely decision-making by the Commission and enhance responsiveness to emerging issues.

JMACC also coordinates the mobilization and deployment of human, technical, and logistical resources during operations, ensuring synchronized action among participating agencies. The Centre supports incident management and undertakes risk assessment and mitigation to safeguard operations and communities within the river basin.

Security and enforcement are key components of JMACC’s functions. The Centre coordinates patrols along the river and designated sites, supports surveillance systems, and facilitates security during operations. In collaboration with relevant authorities, JMACC supports investigations, enforcement actions, and prosecution of violations of environmental laws and regulations affecting the river basin and its catchment areas.

Through JMACC, the Nairobi Rivers Commission has strengthened multi-agency coordination and enhanced implementation of river regeneration initiatives. The Centre plays a vital role in ensuring that restoration efforts are well-coordinated, secure, data-driven, and sustainable, contributing to the long-term protection and management of the Nairobi River Basin.

JMACC was formed under Nairobi Rivers Commission Organization structure with the following  mandates.

Mandate/functions of the Centre are as follows

a.    Develop, implement and review policies, guidelines, standards and procedures for operations of the joint multi-agency centre in consultation with stakeholders;
b.    JMACC will include KDF, NYS, NEMA, WRA, NRC Technical team and other relevant agencies. 
c.    JMACC to provide daily update reports to the Commission using the platforms developed.
d.    Consolidate and analyze and share information to relevant agencies & directorates as per provided guidelines.
e.    Coordinate a unified response during operations.
f.    Coordinate and mobilize deployment of resources for operations.
g.    Provide centralized communications in all operations.
h.    Coordinate incident management and surveillance within the basin;
i.    Coordinate    risk    assessment    and    mitigation    within    the area of  responsibility.
j.    Enhance liaison between NRC and stakeholders for operations.
k.    Set up surveillance systems along the Nairobi River basin and at designated dumpsites.
l.    Carry out patrols along the Nairobi Rivers Basin and designated dumpsites.
m.    Coordinate provision of security along the Nairobi Rivers Basin and at the designated dumpsites.
n.    Liaise with relevant authorities to investigate, apprehend and prosecute those contravening the various laws and regulations governing the environment of the Nairobi Rivers Basin and its catchment areas.
o.    Conduct post-operation evaluation and provide information to the NRC communication for dissemination to the relevant stakeholders and embrace technology in the operations and make recommendations for review.

Reporting structure of the Centre

The JMACC reporting structure is as shown on the organogram below. The centre will receive upto dates information from the field through the river connect kiosks,the information will be analysed at the JMACC to provide the chief executive officer with various course of actions.

Purpose
To provide a clear, structured communication pathway that enables timely reporting, verification, escalation, and enforcement action against river pollution—from community level (grassroot) to the Joint Multi-Agency Coordination Centre (JMACC).
COMMUNICATION FLOW (TOP–DOWN OVERVIEW)
Communities / Grassroot Actors
(Residents, CBOs, River User Groups, Informal Leaders)
▼
Zone Coordinators/Community Environmental Scouts / Champions
(Trained volunteers, River Watch Groups)
▼
River Connect Kiosks / Ward Reporting Points
(Ward Admin, NCCG Environment Officers)
▼
Sub-County Environment & Enforcement Desk
(NCCG, Public Health, Enforcement Officers)
▼
NRC Technical Team / Data & Analytics Unit
(Verification, Mapping, Risk Assessment)
▼
JMACC – Central Command & Coordination
(Multi-Agency Operations & Enforcement)
▼
Enforcement & Response Agencies
(NEMA, WRA, NCCG, KDF, Police, Prosecutors)

Functional Roles by Level
1. Communities / Grassroot Actors
•    Observe and identify pollution incidents (illegal discharge, dumping, sewer bursts).
•    Report incidents via community scouts, hotline, SMS, WhatsApp, or kiosks.
•    Provide local intelligence and support enforcement teams.
2. Zone coordinators/Community Environmental Scouts / Champions
•    First-level validation of reports.
•    Capture basic evidence (location, photos, time).
•    Escalate verified reports to River Connect Kiosks or Ward Offices.
3. River Connect Kiosks / Ward Reporting Points
•    Log complaints into a standardized reporting system.
•    Assign incident reference numbers.
•    Forward reports to Sub-County Environment & Enforcement Desk.
4. Sub-County Environment & Enforcement Desk
•    Conduct rapid site verification.
•    Initiate immediate containment actions where possible.
•    Escalate serious or cross-jurisdictional cases to NRC Technical Team.
5. NRC Technical Team / Data & Analytics Unit
•    Aggregate reports from across the basin.
•    Analyze trends, hotspots, and severity.
•    Prepare incident briefs and operational recommendations.
6. JMACC – Central Command
•    Receive verified intelligence and incident briefs.
•    Coordinate joint multi-agency response.
•    Issue operational orders and deployment plans.
•    Maintain centralized communication during operations.
7. Enforcement & Response Agencies
•    Conduct inspections, arrests, shutdowns, and clean-ups.
•    Support investigations and prosecutions.
•    Provide feedback and outcomes back to JMACC.

Feedback & Accountability Loop
Enforcement Outcome Report
▲
JMACC (Situation Reports & Directives)
▲
NRC / Sub-County Desks
▲
Community Feedback & Awareness
•    Communities receive feedback on actions taken.
•    Builds trust, compliance, and sustained reporting.
Key Enablers
•    Standard reporting templates (digital & manual)
•    Dedicated hotlines and WhatsApp channels
•    GIS mapping of incidents
•    Clear SOPs for escalation timelines
•    Public awareness on reporting channels
This organogram aligns with the operational role of JMACC as the central coordination and communication hub for enforcement within the Nairobi River Basin.
This is, structured communication organogram in the canvas that shows exactly how information should flow from the grassroots up to JMACC, and back down again, to support river pollution enforcement.
It’s designed to be:
•    Operational (who does what, at each level)
•    Enforcement-ready (verification → escalation → joint action)
•    Community-inclusive (grassroots reporting + feedback loop)
•    Aligned with JMACC’s mandate as the central coordination hub

Achievements/ Tasks

1. On 08 November 2023, Nairobi Rivers Commission commenced its first task on the unclogging of the Nairobi Rivers Basin. The machines from different ministries were deployed along Viwandani Area Ngong river. During the operations along the rivers, the team through the support of the local Administration, managed to convince members of the public to demolish illegally built-up structures situated in the Riparian land.
2. The accumulation of debris and waste materials, including plastic, fallen trees, and other non-biodegradable items created bottlenecks and impeded the natural flow of the river. The encroachment of informal settlements along the riverbanks escalated the problem, exacerbating the obstructive conditions, and contributing to increased waste accumulation. Presence of illegal structure/ housing in proximity to the river banks thereby prevented the team from properly addressing the debris menace.
3. On 30^th April 2024 through cabinet meeting, the government of Kenya through Nairobi river commission commenced land demarcation of 30 metres within the rivers basin, this was after heavy rain downpour which even claimed the lifes of many. The activity was well coordinated whereby 47 km within the river basin was reclaimed.
4. Coordination of Climate worX program where 42,000 youths are working under cohorts or rotation of 10 days . Reports and pictorial evidences are daily sent to JMACC for compile and further submitted to higher office.
5. The JMACC has been able to hold several meetings both technical and local meetings from different stakeholders.
6. Today, the government is keen to deliver the mandate through the commission to transform Nairobi Rivers through river regeneration program which was officially opened by H.E. JMACC has played a crucial role on coordinating and acting upon.

Unclogging of Ngong river

UNCLOGGING OF NGONG RIVERS AT KWARE BRIDGE