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Nairobi County's Environment Chief Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, has pledged stern action against a hospital in Huruma accused of illegally disposing of medical waste. The move follows public complaints regarding unsafe waste management practices.
Nairobi, Kenya – Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has announced that the county will take action against a hospital in Huruma for allegedly dumping medical waste at an unauthorised site. The declaration, made via Mosiria's X account on Friday, October 3, 2025, comes after residents and waste pickers raised concerns about the unsafe disposal practices.
“Today, I responded to complaints from residents and waste pickers in Huruma regarding a hospital that has been disposing of medical waste at an illegal dumping site,” Mosiria stated. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in medical waste management within the county.
Kenya has a legal and regulatory framework for medical waste management, primarily governed by the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) of 1999, the Public Health Act, and the Waste Management Regulations. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) is the principal government agency responsible for enforcing these environmental laws and regulations, including those pertaining to medical waste. NEMA's regulations cover waste generation, collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, and final disposal, promoting a hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle, treat, and dispose.
Despite these guidelines, enforcement has been weak, and many healthcare facilities often do not comply. A significant challenge is the lack of adequate infrastructure and resources for proper medical waste management, leading to waste being mixed with general waste and disposed of in municipal landfills or incinerated without proper treatment. This practice poses considerable risks to public health and the environment, including the spread of infectious diseases and exposure to chemical or biological contaminants.
The Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) of 1999 provides the legal framework for healthcare waste management. It mandates that medical waste be packaged in clearly labelled bags or sterilised before disposal in licensed incinerators. Furthermore, waste separation and packaging are required at the health facility, with facilities bearing the responsibility for proper waste management. NEMA also requires waste generators, transporters, and disposal facilities to obtain licenses or permits to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
In 2007, the Government of Kenya developed the Injection Safety and Medical Waste Management Policy, with accompanying guidelines in 2011 to operationalise it. A 2017 review, supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), identified gaps in protection against persistent organic pollutants, mercury, and various chemicals used in the health sector.
Nairobi County, under the leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja, has tasked Chief Officer Mosiria with ensuring the city's cleanliness. Mosiria, who was moved from the health to the environment docket in August 2024, has been actively involved in streamlining environmental and sanitation practices. He was recognised as Kenya's Best Chief Officer at the StarLeaders Awards in March 2025 for his dedication to environmental conservation and sustainable waste management.
The county government has emphasised its commitment to clearing waste and taking legal action against those found dumping illegally. Mosiria has previously highlighted that citizens' dumping habits contribute significantly to environmental pollution, urging collective responsibility.
Illegal dumping of medical waste poses severe public health and environmental risks. These include the potential spread of infectious diseases, contamination of soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals and microorganisms, and accidental exposure to waste at disposal sites. Improper incineration can also release chemical pollutants like mercury into the air.
The specific hospital involved in the Huruma incident has not been publicly identified. Details regarding the exact nature and quantity of medical waste dumped, as well as the timeline for the promised action, remain undisclosed.
The public will be watching for the swift identification and prosecution of the hospital responsible for the illegal dumping. The incident may prompt NEMA and Nairobi County to intensify their efforts in monitoring and enforcing medical waste management regulations across all healthcare facilities.
This incident is part of a broader national effort to improve waste management. NEMA issued a 21-day ultimatum to all county governments on September 19, 2025, to reinforce the Sustainable Waste Management Act and the Waste Management Regulations, 2024, emphasising waste segregation at the source.
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