Nairobi County has issued a stern warning to property owners and tenants across the capital, threatening immediate arrests for those who continue flouting waste management regulations.
The warning comes as authorities prepare to resume intensive cleaning operations in Pipeline Estate and surrounding areas.
Geoffrey Mosiria, Nairobi City County Chief Officer for Environment, announced on Sunday that the county government will no longer tolerate illegal dumping of garbage along roads and public spaces.
Speaking during a press briefing, Mosiria revealed that cleaning activities will resume this week, with particular focus on Pipeline area where road sections have been severely damaged by irresponsible waste disposal practices.
“This coming week, we shall resume the cleaning exercise along the roads in the Pipeline area, including backfilling sections of the road that were damaged due to wastewater discharge and illegal dumping of garbage by residents,” Mosiria declared.
The Chief Officer emphasized that the county has reached a breaking point with persistent violations despite repeated warnings.
The escalation follows a concerning pattern observed in Pipeline Estate, where many landlords have failed to arrange proper garbage collection services for their properties.
This negligence has forced tenants to resort to dumping household waste directly onto roads, creating serious health hazards and environmental degradation in the densely populated area.
Mosiria expressed particular frustration with landlords who remain silent and indifferent when their tenants engage in illegal dumping practices.
“Despite previous warnings, some tenants continue to dispose of waste illegally, with landlords turning a blind eye,” he said.
The environmental chief argued that arresting both parties represents the only viable mechanism to ensure Nairobi maintains its cleanliness standards.
The threat of arrests is backed by existing legislation, specifically the Nairobi City County Solid Waste Management Act of 2015.
Under this law, every property owner bears responsibility for maintaining cleanliness within a 10-meter radius of their premises.
Mosiria stressed that this legislation will be enforced without exception, marking a shift from warnings to direct action.
During a previous cleaning exercise on July 16, county officials discovered extensive environmental damage caused by improper waste disposal in Pipeline Estate.
The area had become a dumping ground for household waste, with roads bearing the brunt of the damage from both solid waste and wastewater discharge.
Moving forward, the county has issued specific directives requiring all landlords to ensure their tenants have access to proper waste collection services.
These services must be provided either through Community-Based Organizations or registered Private Service Providers, with waste collection occurring directly from households rather than through illegal dumping.
“All waste must be collected directly from households. Failure to comply with this directive will result in arrests and prosecution,” Mosiria warned.
The ultimatum represents a significant escalation in the county’s approach to waste management enforcement.
The crackdown reflects broader efforts by Nairobi County to address persistent environmental challenges that have plagued the capital for years.
Poor waste management has contributed to blocked drainage systems, increased disease outbreaks, and general deterioration of living conditions in various estates across the city.
Residents and property owners now face a clear choice: comply with existing waste management regulations or face legal consequences. The county’s commitment to “restore order and maintain cleanliness” signals that the era of turning a blind eye to environmental violations has ended.
As Nairobi County prepares to implement these enforcement measures, both landlords and tenants must take immediate action to ensure compliance with waste management requirements.
The coming weeks will reveal whether this tough stance will finally bring about the behavioral change needed to keep Nairobi clean and livable for its millions of residents.
