By Roselyne Obala and Rawlings Otieno

Nairobi, Kenya: A row is simmering between Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and City Hall over relocation of Dandora dumpsite.

City County of Nairobi wants the exercise to be done immediately but the plan is facing strong political undertones and commercial interest from aviation authorities.

KCAA has opposed the idea of relocating the site to Ruai landfill, citing air transport bird hazards and proposes that the dumpsite be situated in Suswa, which is in another county.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, environmental director Leah Ombis and other stakeholders have been holding talks with KAA and KCAA to enable them have the dumpsite in Ruai.

Stray birds

“We must ensure the garbage is properly disposed,” stressed Dr Kidero. He noted that City Hall has land in Ruai that is big enough for a designated dumpsite. The argument cited by KCAA is that the designated area is along flight path and stray birds might interfere with planes.

The stalemate pitting the aviation authority and City Hall threatens to forestall the relocation process.

At the same time, Dandora residents, despite facing numerous health challenges as a result of the location of the dumpsite, argue that it supports their livelihoods.

“We are facing objections from KAA and KCAA to relocate the dumpsite to Ruai where City Hall has enough land,” said Dr Ombis.

She continued, “They argue that designated dumpsite lies along the flight path and planes will not have attained the height required to be free from bird strikes.”

However, Ombis argued that this is not the case, as the proposed site is 13km away from the area alleged by KAA and KCAA.

“Even in scientific view, we factored all their concerns in our planning and we are absolutely sure the area in mind is very far,” she explained. Meanwhile, Nairobi County administration has designed an elaborate plan to get rid of waste.

“We must have a clean environment. We want Nairobi to be a world class city and this begins with ensuring we maintain cleanliness,” stated Kidero.