In a bold move to address Nairobi’s long-standing sanitation issues, President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious plan aimed at transforming the capital city’s approach to waste management and energy production.
Speaking to community leaders at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete on Monday September 16, 2024, Ruto outlined his vision to improve Nairobi’s cleanliness, underscoring the city’s significance as the face of Kenya.
“Mimi nimewaita hapa leo kwa sababu ya jambo muhimu la kitaifa. Munajua ya kwamba Nairobi ndo capital city ya Kenya. Nairobi ndo sura ya Kenya. Nairobi ni muhimu. Mahali wageni wanakuja ili kujua Kenya ni Nairobi. Wakipata sura mbaya ya Naironbi wataona Kenya yote haifai.
“Wakipata sura mzuri ya Nairobi, they say the first impression is the lasting impression. So I have invited you here because number one, Nairobi is our capital city, Nairobi is the face of Kenya and therefore Nairobi is important as we seek to create a better profile for our country,” Ruto said.
Nairobi River, Dandora dumpsite
Central to Ruto’s plan is the cleaning of the Nairobi River and the repurposing of the Dandora dumpsite.
Ruto emphasized the need to utilize the dumpsite, which occupies a 30-hectare parcel of land, to generate electricity for the city.
“We must turn Nairobi waste into energy. Ile mlima ya takataka iko kule Dandora tunataka kutumia hio mlima ya takataka tutengeneze stima tuunganishe nii Nairobi na tusafishe hio Dandora kwa sababu hakuna vile takataka inaweza kuchukua hekari thelathini katikati ya city. Pale inataka ata tujenge housing hawa watu wa kutoka huko waishi hapo, uweke huko social housing,” he said.
The plan aims to address multiple issues simultaneously: improving sanitation, managing waste sustainably, and boosting the city’s energy production.
By converting waste into usable energy through methods such as waste-to-energy incineration, the initiative seeks to provide power while mitigating the environmental impact of the growing landfill.
The Dandora dumpsite, one of Africa’s largest and most controversial waste sites, has long been a source of environmental and health concerns for Nairobi residents.
Ruto’s proposal to convert part of the site into affordable housing also seeks to address the housing shortage while enhancing living conditions for those affected by the dumpsite’s presence.
This initiative aligns with international efforts to turn waste into renewable energy, offering the dual benefits of improved waste management and increased energy production.
However, the practical implementation of this plan will depend on overcoming significant logistical, environmental, financial challenges and political goodwill.