Mosiria vows to arrest landlords and tenants caught in illegal waste dumping
By William Muthama, August 3, 2025Nairobi County Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has issued a stern warning to landlords and tenants involved in illegal dumping of waste, vowing to arrest culprits as part of a renewed crackdown in the city.
In a statement issued via X on Sunday, August 3, 2025, Mosiria said the county government will resume a major cleaning and road rehabilitation operation in the densely populated area, targeting individuals who have repeatedly defied waste management laws.
“This coming week, we shall resume the cleaning exercise along the roads, including backfilling sections damaged by wastewater and illegal garbage dumping,” he said.
Lawbreakers face arrest
He noted that despite prior warnings, many residents continue to dispose of waste unlawfully, with landlords allegedly turning a blind eye. The county will now take legal action against both groups to restore order and promote a cleaner environment.
“Despite previous warnings, some tenants continue to dispose of waste unlawfully, with landlords turning a blind eye. Moving forward, we shall apprehend both tenants and landlords found responsible,” Mosiria warned.
He emphasised that enforcement is now necessary as warnings have failed to stop the vice. “This is the only way to restore order, uphold the law, and ensure our city remains clean and livable for all,” he added.
Law cited clearly
The renewed efforts follow public criticism from Nairobi residents urging Mosiria to extend his “Clean Nairobi” campaign to overpopulated areas with poor sanitation.
Mosiria cited the Nairobi City County Solid Waste Management Act of 2015, which places responsibility for cleanliness within a 10-metre radius of a property on the property owner.
He further urged landlords to hire licensed private garbage collectors or partner with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to help tenants dispose of waste responsibly.
“It’s unfortunate that many landlords do not pay for garbage collection services. As a result, tenants are forced to dump waste on roads, posing serious health and environmental risks,” he concluded.