Nairobi consolidates waste handling under single contractor in bid to end citywide crisis

KENYA – Nairobi City County has announced a major overhaul of its solid waste management system, moving to a single-contractor model that will oversee all garbage collection, transport and processing across the capital.

The restructuring aims to curb chronic waste accumulation, pollution, and operational inefficiencies that have strained the county’s current decentralized system.

Under the new framework, one contractor will be responsible for collecting waste citywide and transporting it to a new centralized processing plant designed to handle up to 3,200 tonnes of waste per day.

Until the plant is operational, the contractor will continue using the Dandora dumpsite, which it will also manage and maintain, under strict environmental, health and safety standards.

City Hall emphasizes that the contractor will temporarily oversee Dandora’s entire operations, including access control, traffic organization, waste compaction, and fire risk mitigation.

The operator will also execute mechanized street sweeping, regular emptying of litter bins, installation of new waste bins across the county, and the integration of existing waste service providers into the formal value chain.

“The contractor will undertake routine mechanized street sweeping, litter bin emptying, and installation of additional litter bins… as well as closure and rehabilitation of existing illegal dumpsites across the county,” the county government stated.

Nairobi, now home to an estimated 5.8 million residents, faces mounting pressure from rapid urbanization and increasing waste volumes.

City Hall has repeatedly warned that inadequate solid waste infrastructure has resulted in severe environmental degradation, including air pollution, soil contamination and threats to groundwater quality.

The move is part of the broader Integrated Solid Waste Management System being rolled out under the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Act 2022.

The Act mandates counties to adopt circular waste management practices, reduce reliance on open dumping, and guarantee every citizen the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.

Industry observers say Nairobi’s decision mirrors a wider shift across African cities toward centralized waste contracts and public–private partnerships to improve efficiency and unlock investment in modern waste facilities.

Cities such as Kigali, Lagos and Addis Ababa have adopted similar models, using single or zoned waste contractors with performance-based agreements.

Meanwhile, Kenya is preparing for the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations under the national Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022, which will place additional obligations on manufacturers and importers to support waste recovery and recycling systems.

As Nairobi begins the transition to the single-operator model, the county government says its goal is to build a cleaner, safer city with a more resilient, circular waste management system that can match rapid population growth and urban expansion.

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