Nairobi's Persistent Waste Challenge

Nairobi, often referred to as the "Green City in the Sun," faces a stark reality: its streets and informal settlements are increasingly overwhelmed by uncollected solid waste. The city generates an estimated 2,400 to 3,207 tonnes of waste daily, yet only a fraction is formally collected and disposed of. This persistent challenge poses significant health risks, including the proliferation of infectious diseases, and contributes to severe environmental degradation through air, water, and soil pollution.

The iconic Dandora dumpsite, East Africa's largest, stands as a grim testament to this crisis. Declared full in 1996 and again in 2001, it continues to receive an estimated 850 to 2,000 tonnes of waste daily, operating far beyond its capacity. This overcapacity leads to the accumulation of hazardous toxins and heightens health risks for thousands of waste pickers and residents in surrounding informal settlements like Korogocho, Baba Ndogo, Mathare, and Dandora.

Historical and Political Context

The struggle with waste management in Nairobi is not new. For decades, various administrations have attempted to address the issue with limited success. The Nairobi City County Government is constitutionally mandated with solid waste management, a devolved function. Budgetary allocations for solid waste management have seen increases over the years, from KSh 103 million in the 2014/15 financial year to KSh 1.5 billion in the 2016/17 financial year. However, despite these increased funds, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, weak enforcement of laws, and issues with private sector operator oversight persist.

A report by the Controller of Budget (COB) for the first half of the 2024/25 financial year highlighted Nairobi's significant expenditure on garbage collection, amounting to KSh 897.82 million. Yet, a recent budget for the 2025-26 financial year has been criticized for allocating insufficient attention to garbage collection and sanitation, despite public outcry.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

Kenya has a legal and policy framework in place to guide waste management. The Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 provides a comprehensive legal framework for waste management, including collection, transport, treatment, and disposal. It mandates counties to establish their own sustainable waste management legislation, recycling centres, and sanitary landfills. The Act also requires private companies to develop waste management plans and emphasizes waste separation at the source for organic and inorganic waste.

Other key policies include the National Solid Waste Management Strategy 2014 and the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) 1999. Despite these frameworks, implementation and enforcement remain significant hurdles.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

A diverse range of stakeholders is involved in Nairobi's waste management, including government bodies, private companies, NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), and informal waste pickers. Private waste collection companies like Ujamaa Waste Management Services and TakaTaka Solutions offer services across Nairobi, with TakaTaka Solutions claiming to recycle up to 95% of collected waste. Community initiatives, such as the Kibera Community Youth Program (KCYP), focus on educating residents on waste segregation and recycling, establishing local recycling centers.

Informal waste pickers play a crucial, albeit often hazardous, role in the waste management chain, recovering recyclable materials from dumpsites. Organizations like the Kenya National Waste Pickers Welfare Association advocate for their dignified lives and address the health risks associated with their work.

Evidence and Data

Risks and Implications

The inadequate waste management in Nairobi poses severe risks. Public health is compromised by the breeding of disease vectors in uncollected waste, leading to illnesses such as diarrheal diseases, respiratory conditions, malaria, and allergies. Environmental degradation is evident in the pollution of the Nairobi River and groundwater contamination from dumpsites. Economically, the informal nature of much of the waste sector means lost opportunities for formal job creation and resource recovery.

The lack of proper waste segregation at source further complicates recycling efforts, diminishing the value of collected materials. The burning of waste, particularly plastics, by informal waste pickers for warmth or to reduce volume, releases harmful toxins into the air, impacting both their health and the surrounding communities.

Unknowns and Controversies

Despite the existing legal frameworks, the effective implementation and enforcement of waste management regulations remain a significant challenge. There are concerns about corruption within the waste management sector and the influence of cartels, which hinder efficient service delivery. The exact figures for waste generation and collection can vary across different reports, highlighting a need for more consistent and up-to-date data.

Furthermore, while policies emphasize public participation, there is often a lack of awareness and engagement from citizens regarding proper waste disposal and segregation. The long-promised relocation or rehabilitation of the Dandora dumpsite has yet to materialize, raising questions about the political will and practical challenges involved.

Timeline and Next Steps

• **2022:** Kenya signs the Sustainable Waste Management Act into law, aiming to provide a legal and institutional framework for effective waste management.
• **Ongoing:** Nairobi County Government continues to allocate budgets for solid waste management, with varying levels of impact.
• **Future:** The Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 mandates counties to establish their own waste management legislation within one year of the national bill's passage. This means county-level legislation should be in place by July 2023.

What to Watch

The effectiveness of the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 will largely depend on its rigorous implementation at both national and county levels, particularly the establishment of recycling centres and sanitary landfills. The Nairobi City County Government's commitment to prioritizing waste management in future budgets and its ability to combat corruption and cartel influence will be critical. The ongoing Nairobi River Regeneration Project and initiatives like Green Nairobi Limited will serve as important benchmarks for waste management efforts. Increased public awareness campaigns and community engagement are essential to foster a culture of responsible waste segregation and disposal.

Related Stories

• Community-based initiatives in informal settlements, such as those in Kibera, demonstrate the potential of grassroots efforts in waste segregation and recycling.
• Innovations like Gjenge Makers, which recycles plastic waste into construction materials, offer promising solutions for resource recovery and job creation.
• The development of biogas power plants from organic waste, as seen in Umoja estate, presents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide clean energy.