Kuria's Vision for a Clean Nairobi

Former Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria officially declared his candidacy for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election on Monday, October 13, 2025, via his X account. Kuria, who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Gatundu South, stated his motivation stems from the desire to rid the devolved unit of pervasive filth.

“Nairobi cannot continue to be a city in filth. You see that we have already started cleaning the Nairobi River. And now all estates are in the final stages of signing an agreement with the private sector on how we are going to clean this city. It cannot continue the way it is,” Kuria posted.

Context of Nairobi's Waste Crisis

Nairobi, Kenya's capital and most populous county with an estimated 5.45 million residents in 2024, faces significant challenges in waste management. The city generates approximately 2,475 tonnes of waste daily, with some estimates reaching 2,680 tonnes per day in 2002 and 2.3 million tonnes in 2022. However, only about 33% of this waste is collected for disposal at the Dandora dumpsite, which has been operating beyond its capacity since 1996. The remaining waste is often illegally dumped or burned, contributing to environmental degradation and public health concerns.

The Nairobi River, a vital waterway, has long suffered from pollution due to uncontrolled dumping of solid waste, discharge of raw sewage, and encroachment by informal settlements. Up to 60% of wastewater entering the rivers has historically been untreated. In response, the government launched the Nairobi River Regeneration Project (NRRP) in March 2025, a KSh 50 billion initiative aimed at restoring the Nairobi, Mathare, and Ngong rivers. This multi-agency effort involves rehabilitating polluted waterways, upgrading sewerage systems, and redesigning riparian zones.

Government and Private Sector Involvement

The Nairobi City County Government is responsible for solid waste management, a devolved function under the Kenyan Constitution. The county's budget allocation for solid waste management has seen increases over the years, from KSh 103 million in FY 2014/15 to KSh 1.5 billion in FY 2016/17. Despite these allocations, challenges persist, including inadequate infrastructure, insufficient enforcement of laws, and the involvement of numerous private sector operators whose activities are not always controlled.

President William Ruto, on Saturday, October 12, 2025, announced a new partnership between the national government and Nairobi City County to address waste management, emphasizing private sector engagement. This aligns with the county's existing policy on private sector involvement in solid waste management, which dates back to 2001. Recently, the Nairobi County Government established Green Nairobi Limited, a publicly owned firm equipped with its own fleet of trucks and compactors, to streamline waste collection and curb corruption.

Political Landscape and Implications

Moses Kuria has a notable political history, having served as Gatundu South MP from 2014 to 2022. He unsuccessfully vied for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat in the 2022 General Election. He was later appointed Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry in September 2022, and then reassigned to Public Service, Performance and Delivery Management in October 2023. His declaration for the Nairobi governorship signals a significant move in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

Analysts suggest that such declarations can influence public debate and policy execution, necessitating clarity on timelines, costs, and safeguards for proposed solutions. The issue of waste management is a persistent concern for Nairobi residents, with many parts of the city, particularly low and middle-income areas, lacking adequate collection systems.

Unanswered Questions and Controversies

While Kuria's announcement highlights a critical urban issue, specific details regarding his proposed strategies, funding mechanisms, and how his plan would integrate with or differ from existing county and national government initiatives remain to be seen. The effectiveness of private sector agreements in waste management has been a point of contention, with past efforts facing challenges due to lack of stringent monitoring and payment issues.

What to Watch

The coming months will likely see increased political activity as potential candidates position themselves for the 2027 elections. Observers will be keen to see how Moses Kuria's campaign unfolds, particularly his detailed proposals for tackling Nairobi's waste crisis and how these will resonate with the electorate. The ongoing Nairobi River Regeneration Project and the operations of Green Nairobi Limited will also be closely watched as benchmarks for waste management efforts in the capital.