Mosiria cracks down on illegal dumpsites in Nairobi and affirms Dandora as only recognized site
Nairobi’s County Executive for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, has announced a sweeping crackdown on illegal dumping sites across the city, declaring that only the Dandora dumpsite will remain operational under the Nairobi City County Government’s waste management framework.
In a statement on his X account on Saturday, March 29, 2025, Mosiria asserted that Nairobi must not normalise lawlessness in waste disposal, stressing that illegal dumping sites will not be allowed to continue under the guise of providing livelihoods.
He insisted that while waste pickers play a crucial role in recycling and waste management, they must be supported in a dignified and regulated manner that does not compromise environmental standards.
“We must close down all illegal dumping sites in Nairobi—let’s not legalise an illegality in the name of earning a living. We can always support waste pickers, but in a dignified way,” he stated.
Mosiria reiterated that Nairobi has only one designated dumping site—Dandora—and any other site currently in operation is illegal. He made it clear that the county government will not turn a blind eye to these unauthorised waste disposal points, warning that enforcement measures will be taken to ensure compliance with existing environmental laws.
“Dandora Dumping Site is the only recognised dumping site in Nairobi; there is no other. All these other dumping sites are illegal, and we must not operate as if there are no environmental laws governing the Nairobi City County Government.”
He emphasised that his administration is fully committed to restoring order in Nairobi’s waste management sector, stating that the city must uphold proper waste disposal practices to prevent further environmental degradation.
While he acknowledged the need to safeguard the livelihoods of informal waste collectors, he maintained that this must be done within a structured and lawful framework that does not perpetuate disorder or compromise public health.
“I will do whatever it takes to implement these laws and restore order in Nairobi County.”
Crackdown on matatus
His latest crackdown on dumping sites comes just weeks after he announced similar sweeping measures targeting disorder among matatu operators in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
Speaking during an interview with a local publication on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Mosiria declared that matatu operators must adhere to stricter regulations, particularly regarding cleanliness and noise pollution in the city centre.
He lamented that most matatu operators fail to maintain clean stages, making it difficult for county street sweepers to do their jobs efficiently. According to him, it is the responsibility of matatu operators to keep their designated stages clean since they serve as their workplaces, and the law requires them to ensure cleanliness within a 10-metre radius.
“Matatus must take responsibility for keeping their designated stages clean because that is their office, and the law states that within a 10-metre radius, it is their duty to maintain cleanliness. However, many of them wash their vehicles and dispose of waste irresponsibly, which creates challenges for our street sweepers. We have now issued a notice instructing them to clean these spaces regularly,” he asserted.
Mosiria further directed matatu operators to refrain from playing loud music while operating within the CBD, explaining that they should only resume playing music once they leave the central business district. He extended this directive to matatu operators who aggressively shout to attract passengers, arguing that such behaviour contributes to unnecessary noise pollution and disorder.
Instead, he advised them to use placards to indicate their destinations and attract customers in a more organised manner.
“When in town, switch off the music. Let passengers board, and then resume playing music once you leave the CBD. There should be no noise within the city centre. Similarly, those who call out for passengers in a disruptive manner should stop. If you need to attract customers, do so using a placard—write the destination on a signboard and display it. Order must be maintained,” he stated.
Protests
Mosiria’s directives came against the backdrop of increasing tension between the county government and matatu operators, who have protested various measures imposed by City Hall.
Just days before his remarks, a section of Matatu operators had blocked major roads near Kencom and the Ambassador area, decrying their eviction from designated parking spots and calling for alternative spaces for their vehicles.
The protests were the latest in a series of demonstrations by matatu operators, who had previously opposed the county government’s decision to allocate parking spaces to hawkers in a bid to clear pedestrian walkways on Nairobi’s busiest streets.
