Nairobi's CBD businesses ordered to subscribe to licensed waste collectors or face penalties

Businesses within Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) have been directed to subscribe to licensed waste management service providers and maintain cleanliness within a 10-metre radius of their premises.

The Johnson Sakaja-led administration issued the directive on Monday to ensure proper waste disposal and to promote a clean and healthy environment in the city.

In a notice issued by Geoffrey Mosiria, the County Chief Officer for Environment, business owners were reminded of their responsibility under the Constitution of Kenya and the Nairobi City County Solid Waste Management Act of 2015.

The notice emphasized that solid waste management is a shared responsibility among the county government, business owners, landlords, and waste service providers.

"All businesses are required to provide adequate waste receptacles within their premises and ensure regular servicing," the notice read.

Mosiria expressed concern that recent inspections revealed many buildings lack proper waste bins and are not subscribed to authorised waste collectors.

The county has intensified inspections, warning that non-compliance will result in prosecution.

The Chief Officer urged businesses to take the directive seriously.

"Let us work together to maintain a clean and healthy environment in Nairobi," Mosiria noted.

The directive is part of broader efforts to tackle waste mismanagement and ensure environmental sustainability.

Systemic issue

Last year, Governor Sakaja explained why the garbage menace in the county has been a systemic issue for years.

He cited the previous management in the garbage collection sector as the root cause of the delayed solution to the perennial problem.

The county chief blamed the private sector which had previously been contracted by the county government saying they would collect payments based on the weight of the garbage disposed per day, which would be hiked in their favour.

Sakaja said that per day, the private contractors claimed they collected 9,000 tonnes of garbage contrary to 3 tonnes produced, adding that they would also dump the waste at illegal dumpsites not approved.

"The model for garbage collection was completely unsustainable. It was just business and so we would pay contractors just because of the weight of the garbage we deliver at our final disposal site in Dandora," he said.

"A lot of the bills were unattainable because if you calculated the weight they were charging, it would look as if you collect 9,000 tonnes of garbage every day yet we know that Nairobi collects about 3 tonnes every day," Sakaja added.

On how his administration has resolved to handle the menace, the county boss said he is focusing on building capacity for collection, using modern garbage conversion techniques, and employing youth to act as environmental officers.

He revealed that, through his leadership, the county was seeking to contract a China-based company that technologically uses waste as raw materials to produce energy.

"We have awarded a waste-to-energy contract to China National and Engineering company that is going to convert waste at Dandora dumpsite into 45 MegaWatts of power. The waste becomes their raw material," he said.

Governor Sakaja said the county had employed 3,500 youth, dubbed the 'Green Army' who would now be in charge of collecting waste and sweeping the streets.