tackling the waste crisis in kenya - a&wma publications

A look at Kenya’s multipronged approach to improve solid waste management.

Tackling the WasteCrisis in Kenya

Tackling the WasteCrisis in Kenya

Advancing Integrated Waste Management

Tackling Waste in Kenya by Alice Kaudia and Erika Rosenthal

em • The Magazine for Environmental Managers • A&WMA • January 2018



Effective sustainable waste management is a key nationalpriority for Kenya. As in many countries where economiesand cities have grown rapidly, the waste problem is now amajor health and environmental crisis. The public is demandingand deserves action. The government considers safe wastemanagement to be both a right, enshrined in Article 42 ofKenya’s constitution guaranteeing the right to healthy envi-ronment, and a key pillar of Kenya’s Vision 2030 sustainabledevelopment blueprint.

Kenya is therefore taking a multipronged approach, includinglegal and policy reform, local pilot projects, and measures toincentivize private investment in the waste sector, to improvewaste management for multiple benefits. These actions aim toadvance integrated waste management and circular economyprinciples, as well as to reduce emissions of methane andblack carbon (a component of soot) in key regions and sectors across the country.

The Situation on the GroundThe current poor state of solid waste management (SWM)—open dumps, illegal dumping, and absence of a collection in-frastructure—is a major threat to public health and theenvironment. Poor waste management also forfeits valuableresources for job creation and economic growth, while indis-criminate dumping of waste is an eyesore that negatively affects tourism, a mainstay of the economy, and the well-being of all Kenyans.

Kenya’s Vision 2030, the nation’s sustainable developmentblueprint, has set a goal of implementing an integrated wastemanagement approach that delivers improved air and waterquality, and better health for all, including waste-pickers and

fence-line communities bordering waste dumps. Vision 2030also seeks to improve livelihoods and economic opportunityin poor communities and incentivize start-ups in waste collection and recycling enterprises.

The waste crisis in Kenya is complex. Dumpsites are over-flowing with a mix of all types of waste and are very poorlymanaged. Some of the dumps in Kenya’s major urban areas,such as the Dandora dumpsite in Nairobi, Kachok in Kisumu,and Kibarani in Mombasa, have been in operation for over40 years. Moreover, only a small fraction of the waste that isgenerated is collected. This poorly managed system, combinedwith lack of accountability on the part of private sector com-panies responsible for most waste collection, has hamperedrecycling efforts. Approximately, 60–70 percent of the wastestream is organic matter. Yet, source separation is rare, reducingthe potential for compost production, thus increasing methaneemissions from dumpsites, and the potential for materials recycling. Rampant illegal dumping fouls waterways androadsides. In Kenya’s sprawling poor communities there isoften no waste collection at all. Pilot waste collection, separation,and recycling initiatives have been launched, but are in needof massive scaling up.

The capitol city, Nairobi, generates more than 3,200 metrictons of waste daily, but only about 800 tons reach the nearbyDandora dumpsite—one of the world’s largest open dumpsites.Leachate and toxic smoke from Dandora fires contribute tochronic respiratory and waterborne disease in neighboringcommunities; conditions are deplorable for the more than3,000 waste pickers that attempt to eke out a livelihood from the site (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. A woman picking through waste at the Dandora dumpsite in Nairobi.



Waste is illegally dumped along roadsides and accumulatesin alleys in cities around the county, giving off noxious odorsand providing breeding grounds for insects and rodents. Nationwide, it is estimated that only 10 percent of waste generated is recycled or composted, even though there aresignificant international market opportunities for polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) plastics and paper, as well as a potentiallylarge domestic market for organic compost.

Critical near-term challenges in Kenya start with a lack of policyand regulatory frameworks at the national and subnationallevel — the 2010 Kenyan constitution devolved many responsibilities, to the counties, including for solid waste management. On the ground, the country faces low rates ofwaste collection... transporters. The need to provide alternativeemployment for current waste sector workers as dumpsitesare closed is also a major challenge.

Taking Action to Tackle the Waste CrisisKenya is rising to meet the waste challenge and is poised tomake significant advances in waste management. Growingcitizen outrage has resonated with elected officials. Politicalpressure combined with new opportunities to tackle SWMthrough the climate lens has garnered renewed commitmentfrom the highest levels of government. The growth of inter-national markets for recyclables, especially paper and plastics,and new national regulations facilitating the establishment ofmember-owned waste picker cooperatives (SACCOs) createfurther incentives for waste sector reforms. Several pilot enterprises are producing organic compost as a soil amendment from separated organic wastes.

The Kenya Vision 2030, the national development blueprint,aims for a clean, secure and sustainably managed environmentby the year 2030, including reducing by half all environment-related diseases. Specific waste management strategies in furtherance of this vision include closing the nation’s largestdump site, Dandora, and the development of SWM systemsand engineered sanitary landfills for the nation’s five largest

metropolitan areas. The constitutional provisions and aspirationsof Vision 2030 have led to the prioritization of waste management as a strategic approach to ensuring a healthyenvironment and improving the well-being of all Kenyans.

Kenya’s constitutional reforms in 2010 devolved responsibilityfor waste management to 47 newly formed counties, but sofar counties have been unable to effectively collect, transport,and recycle or securely dispose of waste. Scant data has hampered planning and investment decision-making. Vision2030 prioritizes the establishment of solid waste managementsystems in the five largest counties, including the constructionof an engineered sanitary landfill for final disposal of non-recyclable waste, a mechanical-biological waste treatment(MBT) plant, and a composting facility and recycling center to replace the nation’s biggest dumpsite, Dandora, located in the peri-urban area of Nairobi. The development and enforcement of waste management laws at both the nationaland sub-national levels are key to implementing a new approach to waste management that emphasizes waste reduction, recycling, and reuse; capitalizes on the waste value chain; reduces methane and black carbon emissions;and achieves environmental, health, social, and poverty reduction objectives.

Enabling Policy and Legislation for Integrated Waste ManagementThe National Solid Waste Management Strategy, adopted inMay 2015 after a full, constitutionally required consultativeprocess in the 47 counties, marked the first major milestonein the implementation of Vision 2030. The strategy has thepotential to achieve climate and development benefits, if robustly implemented. However, the strategy does not includea roadmap for implementation, and it lacks legal force.

The government has therefore prioritized the adoption of alegally binding waste management act to incentivize acceleratedaction at the national and county level, increase compliance,and facilitate increased private investment flows to the waste

The current poor state of solid waste

management—open dumps, illegal

dumping, and absence of a collection

infrastructure—is a major threat to

public health and the environment.



recycling and sanitary disposal activities. (In parallel, additionalwork is underway to develop approaches to address medicaland hazardous waste to ensure separation at the source andappropriate treatment and disposal.)

As part of the process, the government established a NationalWaste Management Steering Committee with representativesfrom across all relevant government agencies and stakeholdersto advance the adoption and implementation of the wastemanagement act. These agencies and stakeholders includethe Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the National Environment Management Authority (the semi-autonomous enforcement arm of the ministry), the NationalTreasury, Council of Governors, Judiciary, National PoliceService, State Law Offices, and faith-based and communityorganizations.

The government received legal support from the Climateand Clean Air Coalition, a voluntary international partnershipworking to catalyze reductions in short-lived climate pollutantssuch as methane and black carbon, to draft a bill for a nationalwaste management act with the aim of improving wastemanagement to reduce emissions of these pollutants fromthe waste sector.

The draft Waste Management Act was completed in June2017 and is currently going through the constitutionally required stakeholder and county consultation process prior to presentation to Parliament. The Act will drive improvedwaste management at the county level via the adoption of an enabling regulatory framework, including tax reform to incentivize private investment in recycling and treatment facilities; setting goals and timetables for waste collection andseparation at source; requiring counties to allocate land forsustainable waste management facilities; improved labor andhealth standards; tax relief on imported sustainable wastemanagement equipment (e.g., recycling, composting, andwaste-compacting equipment); tax incentives to expand investment in material recovery and recycling facilities; andthe promulgation of certification standards for organic compost too encourage growth of the domestic market.

Moving ForwardKenya has recently taken some significant strides toward creating a facilitative policy environment for integrated wastemanagement and advancing pilot projects. Two illustrative initiatives are discussed below: a model county level inte-grated waste management project, and a national ban onplastic carrier and flat bags.

Figure 2. Kids playing at the Ngong dumpsite in Kajiado county.



The Kajiado Pilot ProjectNational action is being complemented with county action to help shift from reliance on dumpsites to advancing the implementation of policies and projects that facilitate wasteminimization, through resource use efficiency and cleanerproduction, diversion and recycling of significant percentagesof the waste stream, and final disposal of non-recyclablewaste at secure sanitary landfills.

For example, the Ngong dumpsite in Kajiado county receivesan estimated 400 tons of waste daily from neighboring Nairobicity to the north, as well as from across the county (see Figure2). Local residents have for years voiced concerns over thenegative environmental and public health impacts of this site, including noxious odors, air pollution from fires at the dump-site, flies, rodents, and other pests.

The Kajiado initiative was conceptualized as a pilot project fordecommissioning a dumpsite in a major town through theconstruction of a prototype composting facility, waste recyclingplant, and sanitary landfill for final disposition of the non-recyclable fraction of the waste stream. The organic wastefaction of waste stream entering the Ngong dumpsite is byfar the largest, making separation and composting a priority;nevertheless, as the middle class grows in in Kenya’s mainurban areas an increasing fractions of recyclable plastic andelectronic wastes are projected to enter the waste streammaking an integrated approach essential. In addition, the intentis to build capacity across the solid waste management value-chain leading to resilient livelihoods in commercially viableenterprises, particularly by youth and women.

With support from international partners, county governmentleadership, and broad community participation—including thelocal waste pickers collective—work is ongoing to strengthen the

public–private partnership with the waste collection company toensure accountability and more extensive collection acrossthe county. Key initiatives include significant engineering improvements to the Ngong dumpsite; training to increaseyouth employment in the waste industry; establishing systemsfor separation and recycling; and the adoption of county levelregulations and action plans. The project aims to be a modelthat can be replicated in counties across the nation.

National Plastic Bag BanOn August 28, 2017, Kenya’s plastic bag ban, one of theworld’s toughest, came into force, attacking a major challengeto sustainable solid waste management in Kenya as in manycountries worldwide. Kenyans are estimated to use 24 millionbags a month, many of which end up in piles by the roadsideor hanging from trees; huge quantities are consumed by live-stock, and clog and contaminate water drainage infrastructureand rivers. The ban, which was strongly resisted by the plasticmanufacturing sector and survived a challenge in the highcourt, is creating new market opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs who produce jute and cotton bags and baskets from other biodegradable materials.

ConclusionIt is hoped that these initiatives will take the country one stepcloser to the constitution’s promise of a clean and healthy environment for all, and represent a major advance for Kenyato meet its sustainable development aspirations and fulfill itsParis Agreement commitments. There is a growing communityof practice on waste management in east and southernAfrica. Kenya will continue to exchange new approaches andlessons learned with colleagues across the continent andaround the world to provide effective integrated waste management solutions that improve the lives of our citizensand contribute to the global fight on climate change. em

Alice Kaudia is the Environment Secretary at the Kenya Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. Erika Rosenthal is with thepublic interest environmental law firm Earthjustice."

References1. Anschütz, J.; Ijogosse, A.; Sheinberg, A. Putting integrated sustainable waste management into practice: Using the ISWM assessment methodology as applied in theUWEP Plus Programme (2001–2003); WASTE, Gouda, the Netherlands, 2004.

2. Mangundu, A. et al. The importance of integrated solid waste management in independent Zimbabwe: The case of Glenview area; Harare, 2013.3. The National Solid Waste Management Strategy, 2015; NEMA, Nairobi, 2014.4. Constitution of Kenya, 2010; Government of Kenya, Nairobi, 2010.5. Kenya Vision 2030; Government of Kenya, Nairobi, 2008.6. Environment Management and Coordination Act (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006; Government of Kenya, Nairobi, 2006.7. Rodic, L.; Sheinberg, A.; Wilson D.C. Comparing solid waste management in the world cities. In Proceedings of ISWA World congress 2010—urban developmentand sustainability —A major challenge for waste management in the 21st century, 2010.

tackling the waste crisis in kenya - a&wma publications

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