The Mbagathi River is a river in

Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...

near

Nairobi Nairobi is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Kenya. The city lies in the south-central part of Kenya, at an elevation of . The name is derived from the Maasai language, Maasai phrase , which translates to 'place of cool waters', a ...

and is a key tributary of the

Athi River Athi River is a town outside Nairobi, Kenya in Machakos County. The town is named after the Athi-Galana-Sabaki River, Athi River, which passes through. It is also known as Mavoko. Athi River hosts the Mavoko Municipal Council and is the headq ...

. The river rises from a natural spring to the North West of the Ngong Hills at a settlement called Kerarapon. The river is somewhat fortunate, in that it does not run through a built up area, until it reaches the sprawling conurbation in North Kajiado called Ongata Rongai (meaning Narrow Plain in KiMaa language). All along its northern boundary it is somewhat protected by middle class homes and as it flows east and abuts the Nairobi National Park. It then benefits from environmental protection by extension of the National Park and by reduced interference on its northern and to some extent, its southern bank too. The river's first 40–50 kilometers are relatively unpolluted despite its proximity to Kenya's largest city; Nairobi. There is occasional evidence of the discharge of effluent. Just before it forms the southern boundary of the Nairobi National Park it passes and informal settlement known locally as 'Bangladesh'. Several key streams, particularly the Mokoyeti and Sosian, which rise in the Ngong Road Forest, feed the river via the National Park. It forms the southern boundary of

Nairobi National Park Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya that was established in 1946 about south of Nairobi. It is fenced on three sides, whereas the open southern boundary allows migrating wildlife to move between the park and the adjacent Kitenge ...

. Herds of animals cross the river when migrating.It also forms the eastern boundary of

Nairobi county Nairobi City County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya. With an estimated population of 5,454,000 in 2024, it is the third-smallest in area of the counties, yet the most populous. It also serves as the capital of Kenya. The county entity was ...

passing through Utawala, between

Kamulu Kamulu is a neighbourhood in Nairobi City County located to the North East of the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD). It borders Joska ( Matungulu) in Machakos County to the east, Mwalimu Farm Ruiru to the north, Njiru to the west, and M ...

and Joska A number of small

dam A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aqua ...

s have been built along the river.Hodd, Michael, 2002
''East Africa Handbook: The Travel Guide''
Footprint Travel Guides, , page 115.

References

Athi-Galana-Sabaki River Rivers of Kenya {{Kenya-river-stub