Duale puts city garbage collectors on notice over Nairobi River pollution

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has put garbage collection companies contracted by the Nairobi County government on notice, accusing them of illegal dumping practices which end up polluting the Nairobi River.

Speaking during Mazingira Day celebrations at the Nairobi Arboretum on Thursday, Duale said the government is committed to holding waste collectors accountable, particularly those involved in illegal waste disposal along the river.

He noted that the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) is tasked with tracing waste from its source to its final dumping site.

"We are going to put to question those garbage collecting companies procured by Nairobi City County," Duale said.

"Governor Sakaja is on board, and we will demand answers from these companies on where they are dumping the waste they collect. As it stands, much of it ends up in Nairobi River, and that will not be the case going forward," he added.

The Environment CS also pointed an accusing finger at privately contracted garbage collectors, urging them to disclose their disposal methods.

"We will not allow all the waste from Nairobi to be dumped in the river," Duale warned.

Major polluters identified

At the same time, Duale identified key industries, apartment buildings, and public institutions as major contributors to the pollution of the Nairobi River.

The CS cited the Athi Water and Sewerage Company and the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company as some of the largest polluters due to untreated sewage being channelled directly into the river.

"The sewage line is in the middle of the river. Athi Water and Sewerage Company, alongside industries and apartments, must be held accountable for draining sewage into Nairobi River," he said.

Duale vowed that the government would take strict measures to address the pollution.

"We have no choice. We must go after them, we must shame them, and we must act to clean up Nairobi River," he said.

At least 101 polluters in the capital city risk being shut down for polluting the Nairobi River.

Last week when he appeared before the National Assembly, Duale revealed that the polluters identified by Nema include industries, factories, apartments, and abattoirs.

"Nema has mapped out 101 industries, factories, apartments, and slaughterhouses that discharge their effluent to Nairobi rivers and I want to confirm the Nema chairman is here (and) he has no choice but to comply with the law and regulations passed by this House," Duale said.

In addition, the CS has appealed to all Kenyans to be collectively responsibility for protecting the environment.

He also praised the efforts of the youth involved in the Climate WorX initiative and other partners such as the Kenya Forest Service, for their commitment to environmental restoration.

"I want to commend the youths from Climate WorX, Kenya Forest Service, and all the stakeholders for their good work. Together, we will clean Nairobi River," he added.

The CS also reiterated the government's promise to restore not only the Nairobi River but all urban rivers across the country.

"By his action, the president has committed to the people of Kenya that we will clean Nairobi rivers, restore their ecosystems, and ensure every part of the country engages in environmental conservation," Duale said.

After being sworn in as the Environment CS, Duale pledged to revive the ambitious dream that the late former Environment Minister John Michuki had, with a focus to preserving rivers, and forests and greening the country.