Nairobi residents are set to receive a new conservancy charge on their water bills soon. This was revealed by Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja in an interview with NTV Kenya. He said that the county had agreed with WASREB that the new charge would be included in the water bills.
The money generated from the new charge will be used to address the long-existing garbage problem in Nairobi. “Nairobi needs a lasting solution for waste. We can’t keep doing quick fixes,” the governor said.
The new charge will be used to fix broken garbage trucks, buy new ones, and improve the collection of garbage from various estates.
There was a time when Nairobi residents used to pay a solid waste charge on their water bills, but the county removed it. This new charge, Sakaja said, would ensure the stability of the waste management situation since every household using water would contribute to the kitty.
Currently, the average household in Nairobi is paying KSh1,200 for water services. After paying the sewerage fees, the rent on the water meter, the standing charges, and the VAT, the total comes to KSh2,000. With the addition of the new conservancy charge, the bills are bound to increase.
The governor also indicated that the county will collaborate with the national government and private sector to increase productivity in waste management, with garbage being an income-generating activity through recycling and fertiliser production.
The public will also be educated on how to dispose of waste, with vandalism of garbage bins being addressed.
This announcement comes at a time when President William Ruto announced that the national government will support Nairobi County in moving the Dandora garbage dumpsite to Ruai.
The President was last week in Nairobi, where he announced that the project will include a waste treatment plant that will convert garbage into fertiliser, energy, and other useful products.
“We have agreed to clean Nairobi. The city cannot continue to drown in garbage.”
Residents will pay an extra amount if the proposed fee is approved, but with a promise of clean roads.
