Mosiria decries cartels repackaging contaminated bags for food use in Nairobi
Nairobi County’s Environment Chief Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria has raised the alarm over a disturbing practice involving the repackaging of contaminated bags collected from dumpsites and used to package food sold in Nairobi markets.
In a statement shared on his X account on Saturday, May 10, 2025, Mosiria claimed that criminal groups are retrieving used packaging bags from the Dandora dumpsite, cleaning them in the dangerously polluted Nairobi River, and then reintroducing them into circulation.
“Yesterday, I was shocked to witness what some cartels are doing in the name of earning a living. It is deeply disturbing that they are collecting used packaging bags from the Dandora dumpsite, washing them in the heavily polluted Nairobi River contaminated with raw sewage and industrial chemicals and reintroducing them into the market,” Mosiria stated.
The sanitation officer said these recycled bags, which are often used by vendors to pack food items like vegetables and cereals, pose a major risk to public health.
Mosiria described the discovery as shocking and deeply disturbing. He said he witnessed firsthand how the cartels operate, noting that the Nairobi River, where the bags are being washed, is contaminated with raw sewage and industrial chemicals.
He warned that the practice is fueling the rise of serious health conditions such as cancer, cholera, and H. pylori infections, which are overwhelming the city’s health facilities.
Although the team could not cross the river due to its hazardous condition, Mosiria said a targeted operation is being planned to raid the area, arrest those involved, and take firm legal action.
“These same packaging bags are then used by mama mboga and other shops across the city to pack food items. They find their way back into circulation through unscrupulous and dangerous means, posing a serious threat to public health,” Mosiria stated.
Adding;
“We couldn’t cross the river due to its hazardous condition, but a targeted operation is being planned to raid the area, arrest those responsible, and take decisive legal action. Practices like these are fueling the rise in cancer, cholera, H. pylori, and other diseases overwhelming our health facilities. Public health and consumer safety must be safeguarded at all costs.”
Dandora dumpsite
This warning comes just a month after Mosiria launched a major crackdown on illegal dumping sites in Nairobi.
On March 29, 2025, he announced that the Dandora dumpsite would be the only legal waste disposal site under the Nairobi City County Government’s waste management plan.
“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 said.
He said the county must not normalise lawlessness in waste disposal and that operating illegal dumping sites in the name of providing livelihoods is unacceptable.
Mosiria made it clear that while waste pickers play a crucial role in recycling and managing waste, they must be supported in a dignified and regulated manner that safeguards both public health and the environment.
Mosiria reiterated that Dandora is the only recognised dumping site in Nairobi. He warned that any other sites are illegal and that the county government will take strict enforcement action to shut them down.
He added that the county is fully committed to restoring proper waste management practices and protecting Nairobi residents from environmental hazards.
The Environment Chief Officer pledged to enforce environmental laws without fear or favour, noting that the city must no longer operate as if there are no rules.
