Nairobi's Garbage Business: The Battle Over a Billion-Shilling Industry

Every day, garbage trucks move through Nairobi’s estates collecting waste that most residents never think about again. But behind that routine lies a business worth millions of shillings and a struggle over control that City Hall is still trying to untangle.

Nairobi County officials say parts of the waste collection system have long been influenced by private operators and organised groups that control routes in certain estates and informal settlements. In some areas, residents pay collection fees directly to these operators, raising questions about regulation and accountability in the sector.

Much of the attention has focused on the Dandora dumpsite, the city’s only official landfill. Over the years, it has become more than a disposal site. Control over access, recyclable materials, and truck movement has often been contested, with reports of intimidation and clashes linked to groups operating around the area.

Concerns about double payments have also been raised in past audits and investigations, where some contractors were accused of collecting money from households while still receiving payments linked to county contracts. The result has been strain on public funds and ongoing confusion over who is responsible for what.

The political side of the sector has not stayed in the background. Senior county officials have previously told the Senate that attempts were made to influence waste collection contracts, showing how closely linked the industry is to political and business interests.

In response, Nairobi County says it has stepped up enforcement. More than 100 garbage trucks have been deployed across the city, and several illegal dumping sites have been cleared as part of a wider clean-up effort.

Still, experts warn that enforcement alone is not enough. Nairobi produces thousands of tonnes of waste daily, and much of it still ends up in Dandora, which is already stretched beyond capacity. Without stronger recycling systems and modern waste processing facilities, the pressure will only shift rather than disappear.

For now, the battle over garbage in Nairobi is also a battle over control, money, and accountability in one of the city’s most essential public services.