This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has launched a crackdown on garbage cartels in the city, with plans to shut down over 80 illegal dumpsites.
Since taking office in March, NMS Director-General Mohamed Badi has identified 110 illegal dumping areas and cleared 82 of solid waste, with enforcement for closure ongoing.
The move follows a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta to NMS to crack down on all illegal dumpsites in the capital and gazette legal solid waste dumpsites for both public and private solid waste collectors.
As part of the efforts, NMS is in the process of designating 35 official solid waste collection points, with the National Youth Service contracted to help in garbage collection across the 85 wards in the county.
Nairobi's main dumpsite in Dandora is over three times full, holding more than 1.8 million tonnes of solid waste against its 500,000 tonnes capacity.
Unlicensed garbage collection business in Nairobi is a multibillion-shilling industry controlled by cartels who include elected leaders, with the cartels forming parallel illegal dumping sites across the county where they dispose solid waste after collecting it from residents who pay for their services.
