This archive report was first published on 19 November 2021.
November 19, 2021, marked a grim reality for Nairobi residents as the city centre struggled with a mounting trash crisis. Heaps of uncollected garbage lined the streets, with the few available litter bins either missing or faulty.
According to a senior official in charge of solid waste management at City Hall, the issue stems from friction between the road and environment dockets, which resulted in the removal of some litter bins during re-carpeting and fixing of walkways.
However, the official assured that new litter bins are being designed and will be added to the town soon. In the meantime, the city has partnered with private companies to provide modern bins that facilitate waste separation for easier sorting and collection.
Several streets, including Mfangano Lane and Dubois Street, have been transformed into dumpsites, prompting the arrest of individuals found dumping waste. The official stated that approximately 10 people are arraigned daily for the offence, emphasizing the need to restore sanity in the city.
Efforts to address the issue include a campaign launched by Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment in June. The initiative aims to reduce waste dumping in the city, with a focus on constructing material recovery centres in all 17 city sub-counties for the collection of segregated waste.
