Nairobi Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service, Geoffrey Mosiria, has called for the immediate cancellation of licenses belonging to private waste service providers accused of dumping garbage at illegal sites previously shut down by the county.
In a statement on Sunday, December 8, Mosiria said complaints began to surface shortly after he moved from the environment docket, indicating that some private operators had resumed dumping at restricted sites despite clear directives to stop.
According to Mosiria, some of the companies behind the illegal activity have been hiring goons to intimidate and attack county officers enforcing the closures.
“We came here to close these sites, but the goons tried to attack the officers and are trying to resist,” he said during a visit to one of the illegal dumpsites along Likoni Road. “I know youths are just trying to earn a living, but they should apply for jobs like Climate Works, which will help in cleaning the Nairobi River.”
He warned those attempting to obstruct the county’s work that arrests would follow.
“The goons that are trying to resist we want to tell you that we do not fear you. You will be arrested and taken to court because we are not leaving until we close this illegal dumping,” he added.
Mosiria noted that despite repeated warnings issued by the environment department, the providers remained defiant. He confirmed that during his inspection, dumping had already resumed and the area was heavily polluted, with air quality he described as “unsafe for human breathing.”
He said he would work with the Nairobi Environment Department to ensure legal action is taken against the offending companies.
“I will follow up on the cancellation of licenses for the private waste service providers involved, who are illegally dumping garbage at this site,” he said.
Mosiria added that the county was open to creating a long-term solution through the construction of a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) but only for providers who are willing to comply with environmental regulations.
“While in office, we proposed a proper solution to help these groups establish a well-organized Material Recovery Facility, where they can earn decently without polluting the environment. That offer for structured support and full compliance still stands,” he explained.
Beyond illegal dumping, the chief officer raised concern over a separate discovery involving the reuse of carrier bags washed in sewage water. He said he encountered a man cleaning used bags along the Nairobi River, who disclosed he was paid KSh 200 to prepare bags destined for sale at markets such as Gikomba.
“What I saw today left me deeply shaken,” Mosiria said. “These practices endanger the health of unsuspecting Nairobi residents.”
He urged manufacturers of carrier bags to establish safe, responsible systems for collecting, recycling, and disposing of their products to prevent public health risks.
