Nairobi’s long-standing battle with solid waste management is finally seeing a turnaround, thanks to Governor Johnson Sakaja’s ambitious and structured approach.
For years, the city’s waste sector was fragmented and heavily commercialised, resulting in persistent cleanliness challenges.
But under Governor Sakaja’s leadership, Nairobi has embraced a strategy built on three key pillars: manpower, equipment, and resources.
At the centre of this transformation is the Green Army, a dedicated workforce of over 4,000 young Nairobians employed to clean, manage waste, and beautify the city.
Remarkably, most of these workers have been confirmed into permanent, pensionable roles, the largest recruitment in the environmental sector since 1987.
Governor Sakaja emphasized, “Our Green Army is not just a workforce; it is a movement towards sustainable cleanliness and dignity for every Nairobi resident.”
Supporting this manpower boost is a significant investment in modern equipment.
The county has acquired 10 skip loaders with 50 skips, 27 tippers, and 24 refuse compactors.
This new fleet is being strategically deployed in high-traffic areas like markets and estates to enhance waste collection efficiency.
To further encourage responsible waste disposal, Nairobi now boasts 900 new litter bins installed across the city.
Ensuring the long-term success of these initiatives, Governor Sakaja has set up the Green Nairobi Company, a fully autonomous body tasked with overseeing solid waste management with corporate efficiency and public accountability.
“This company will drive operational excellence while keeping the community’s interests at heart,” Sakaja noted.
In addition, the county plans to collaborate with private partners to bolster capacity and maintain uninterrupted waste collection services.
Governor Sakaja’s vision is unequivocal: “The city must be clean, and we are committed to making Nairobi a cleaner, healthier, and more dignified capital for all its residents.”
