Nairobi County intensifies clean-up efforts ahead of anticipated El Niño rains

Daily garbage collection has tripled from approximately 1,000 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes, with Green Army teams clearing drains, river channels, and illegal dumps across all 17 sub-counties. County Executive Committee Member for Green Nairobi Maureen Njeri stated that over 40 major waste collection points have been cleared since the campaign began in April 2026. The initiative focuses on prevention, ensuring clear water flow to reduce flooding risks.

Specific areas like Embakasi South have seen over 4,500 loads of waste collected, while 216 loads were removed from the Nairobi River in Kamukunji Sub-County. The campaign also involves multi-agency efforts and community engagement, with Njeri emphasizing the need for public participation to sustain progress. The county plans to recruit 4,000 Green Army workers and build material recovery and waste transfer facilities.