Mbagathi River

The Mbagathi River is a river in Kenya near Nairobi and is a key tributary of the Athi River. 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. Herds of animals cross the river when migrating.It also forms the eastern boundary of Nairobi county passing through Utawala, between Kamulu and Joska A number of small dams have been built along the river.