The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has given county governments three weeks to reorganize dumpsites and ensure waste is separated at the source in line with the Sustainable Waste Management Act.
In a notice issued on September 19, NEMA said the directive is meant to push the country closer to a circular economy, where waste is treated as a resource rather than rubbish.
The law requires households to sort their trash before disposal and for transporters to carry only segregated waste. Counties must now make sure dumpsites are redesigned to handle separated garbage.
Under the new rules, waste should be placed in color-coded bins green for organic waste, black for general waste, and blue for recyclables.
NEMA said proper segregation will make it easier to recover useful materials and reduce the amount of waste dumped in landfills. Service providers have also been warned not to mix waste during collection and transport.
The authority reminded Kenyans that a 2017 ban on plastic carrier and garbage bags remains in force, urging collectors and residents to use biodegradable bags instead.
“NEMA will enforce compliance. Both public and private organizations, as well as county governments, are required to adhere to the regulations,” the authority said.
