Nairobi County has been ordered to pay Ksh.25.8 million in compensation to more than a thousand waste pickers who work at the Dandora dumpsite, following a court ruling that found their rights were violated through prolonged exposure to pollution.
The decision by the Environment and Land Court brings long-awaited recognition to the daily struggles faced by 1,032 waste pickers who earn a living sorting through the city’s waste under harsh and dangerous conditions. For years, the workers have endured toxic smoke, foul smells, and uncontrolled fires at the dumpsite, often without protective gear or support.
In its judgment, the court held that Nairobi County failed to safeguard the health, dignity and wellbeing of the waste pickers, despite being responsible for managing the site. The judge noted that the polluted environment posed serious health risks, exposing the workers to respiratory illnesses and other long-term medical complications.
Each waste picker was awarded Ksh.25,000 in damages, an amount the court said was meant to compensate for the harm suffered over time. While modest, the payment acknowledges the human cost of neglect at one of the country’s largest waste disposal sites.
Beyond compensation, the ruling sends a strong message on accountability and environmental justice. It underscores that informal workers, often overlooked and marginalized, are still protected by the Constitution and deserve a clean and healthy working environment.
