Nairobi county launches initiative to ensure proper waste management

A mountain of garbage in Jericho estate, Nairobi. [File, Standard]

Renewed efforts by the Nairobi City County to transform some of the neglected areas is signaling a turning point in waste management.

Under the rallying call “Safisha Kanairo” (Clean Nairobi), the county working closely with Zoomlion Kenya, Africa’s leading waste management expert—have launched an aggressive clean-up intervention aimed at reclaiming public spaces, improving public health, and restoring dignity to communities long overwhelmed by unmanaged waste.

 Zoomlion Kenya Director of Operations Peter Dagadu said that for years, areas such as Dagoretti North, Kamukunji, Starehe, Mathare, Embakasi, and Kibra have battled waste accumulation, with some locations turning into permanent dumpsites.

“ Residents of most of the areas in Nairobi County adapted to the conditions, often forced to live and work alongside growing mounds of refuse that posed serious environmental and health risks, Today, that narrative is beginning to change,” said Dr Dagadu.

He explained that the  ongoing clean-up exercise—widely referred to as the Clean Nairobi Project—is not being treated as a routine campaign, but rather as an urgent intervention by Nairobi City County, with technical and operational support from Zoomlion Kenya, having deployed heavy machinery, modern waste evacuation systems and skilled personnel across multiple hotspots.

 Dr Dagadu said that drawing from its expertise in large-scale sanitation operations across Africa, Zoomlion Kenya is playing a critical role in executing the clean-up efficiently removing decades-old waste, restoring clogged drainage systems, and reclaiming public spaces once considered beyond recovery.

He noted that from Borabora in Dagoretti North to Huruma Grounds in Mathare and from Othaya Market in Kibra to Ruaraka and Embakasi, large-scale operations are underway with their crews working around the clock, excavating layers of compacted garbage and reopening spaces for safe community use.

“ To sustain the pace and scale of these operations, the ounty is also undertaking strategic improvements at the Dandora Landfill—the city’s primary waste disposal site, the landfill is currently being reshaped and optimized to receive increased volumes of waste from evacuation sites across the city,” said Dr Dagadu.

 The Director said that this upgrade is significantly improving turnaround times for waste trucks, reducing delays, and enabling faster, more efficient operations across Nairobi’s clean-up zones.

Dr Dagadu revealed that work has already begun on the construction of a state-of-the-art Material Recovery Facility for Nairobi which once completed, the facility will enable efficient sorting, recycling, and recovery of valuable materials from collected waste.

He regretted that communities affected by prolonged exposure to waste have faced recurring outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and other sanitation-related diseases with adult who form the backbone of Nairobi’s economy have been particularly impacted, often losing productive days to preventable illnesses.

“This is not just about cleaning streets, it is about protecting lives, restoring productivity, and investing in the future of Nairobi, we have seen adults who play a role in the country’s economy losing their productive hours through preventable illnesses,” said Dr Dagadu.

He said that in many neighborhoods, the clean-up has sparked a visible shift in community morale. Residents in areas like Huruma and Kibra have witnessed, often for the first time in decades, the complete removal of waste that once defined their environment.

Dr Dagadu said that open spaces are being reclaimed, air quality is improving, and local businesses are beginning to operate in cleaner surroundings. For many, the changes are not just physical—they are deeply symbolic.

Despite the progress, county authorities acknowledge that the work is far from complete. Several areas remain under active clean-up, and the scale of the challenge requires sustained effort and coordination.

More importantly officials stress that long-term success will depend on behavioral change and community ownership. The “Safisha Kanairo” message is therefore not only about government action, but also about cultivating a culture of cleanliness and responsibility among residents.

Illegal dumping, poor waste disposal habits, and weak enforcement mechanisms have historically undermined similar efforts with the county pairing operations with public awareness campaigns—supported by technical partners like Zoomlion Kenya—to ensure that newly cleaned areas remain clean.

 Dr Dagadu said that the initiative demonstrates that with the right coordination, political will, and technical expertise, Nairobi can address even its most entrenched sanitation challenges.

As trucks continue to roll through the city and crews work tirelessly across neighborhoods, a broader transformation is taking shape—one that seeks to redefine Nairobi not just as a modern city of infrastructure, but as a clean, healthy, and inclusive urban space for all its residents.

The message is clear: “Safisha Kanairo” is not just a slogan—it is a call to action—powered by partnership, strengthened by expertise, and driven by smart, future-ready waste management systems.