Nairobi Launches Mass Waste Evacuation Under #SafishaKanairo PPP Project
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – Nairobi City County Government, in partnership with Zoomlion Kenya, has intensified waste collection across all 17 sub-counties in an ambitious effort to resolve the city’s long-standing garbage crisis.
Operating under the #SafishaKanairo campaign, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) aims to clear legacy waste, eliminate illegal dumping grounds, and transition Nairobi toward a modern circular economy model.
At Korogocho Market, large mounds of uncollected organic waste had accumulated beside commercial spaces, creating severe sanitation risks for traders and residents.
”Garbage previously remained at the site for months, creating an unhygienic environment and exposing residents and traders to health risks,” said Virginia Warau, a local trader.
The ongoing evacuation has drastically improved operational conditions for local businesses.
According to David Kirui, Secretary of the Korogocho Market Traders Association, traders previously paid around Sh200 for irregular private collections.
The current framework offers regular, affordable collection services.”The cleanliness of the market affects business. When the environment is better, customers are more comfortable coming here,” Kirui noted.
In Ruaraka Sub-County alone, the initiative has successfully shut down five illegal dumping sites, according to Sub-County Environment Officer Evans Ochieng.
To ensure cleared sites do not relapse into illegal dumping zones, the county plans to deploy skip containers, roll-on/roll-off containers, and dedicated transfer stations.
While collected waste is currently routed to the main Dandora Dumpsite, Zoomlion Kenya has initiated major engineering overhauls at the facility.
Operations managers and engineers are conducting continuous compaction and capping activities to eliminate severe foul odours affecting nearby residential areas.
Under the PPP model, partners target a complete ecological site transformation of the Dandora facility within two years.
Target LocationFacility TypePrimary FunctionIntended Output
Ruai – Waste Recycling & Value-Addition Plant (Under Construction)Organic Waste Sorting & ProcessingAgricultural Compost & Fertilizer
Ruai – Plastic Processing UnitPolymer Granulation & MoldingHousehold Waste Bins & Recycled Goods.
Dandora – On-Site Container Office & Administrative HubReal-Time Monitoring & Heavy CompactionLandfill Odour Reduction & CappingZoomlion Kenya.
Operations Manager Laud Mike Tagoe emphasized that the program draws on successful implementation models from Ghana, aiming to convert urban waste into an economic resource rather than an environmental burden.
Community Engagement and CSR at Wangu PrimaryThe #SafishaKanairo 2nd Edition initiative has also prioritized environmental justice for communities adjacent to major waste zones.
A joint executive delegation from Zoomlion Kenya and Zoomlion Ghana HQ visited Wangu Comprehensive Primary School, located directly adjacent to the Dandora Dumpsite.
The institution accommodates over 5,800 pupils, 70 teachers, and 44 students in a specialized unit for the hearing-impaired.
Headteacher Mr. Wachira Kagunya led the delegation through the school, where student leaders voiced concerns regarding toxic fumes, water scarcity, and security risks posed by perimeter wall damage.
In response, Zoomlion distributed scholastic materials to the student body and committed to long-term partnerships covering tree planting initiatives, perimeter wall repairs, and continuous environmental health education.
Economic Opportunities and Circular Economy GoalsThe partnership projects the creation of over 5,000 direct and indirect green jobs targeting local youth and informal waste pickers through sorting, material recovery, and processing activities.
Zoomlion Kenya and county officials are advocating for other regional authorities across Kenya to adopt Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to leverage private capital, technical expertise, and modern recycling infrastructure to solve urban sanitation challenges.
