Nairobi City County on Monday issued a notice to matatu owners and the business community regarding a waste management initiative by the county.
In a notice dated January 13 and signed by Geoffrey Mosiria, the County Chief Officer for Environment, Nairobi County directed matatu operators to vacate stages at night to facilitate cleaning.
The county also mandated all businesses, including matatu stages, to comply with provisions aimed at enhancing cleanliness as it embarks on cleaning the capital.
The Nairobi City County Government cautioned that many matatu stages remain occupied by vehicles during the night hindering cleaning activities.
To ensure cleanliness in the matatu sector, the county proposed a raft of measures including mandating all vehicles to make room during designated cleaning hours at night to allow the county's environment staff to conduct thorough cleaning.
Additionally, matatu operators were asked to maintain the cleanliness of vehicles, subscribe to licensed waste management service providers for proper collection and disposal of waste, and stop unnecessary hooting and loud music causing nuisance in the city contrary to Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Act 2021.
Mosiria vowed action against all operators whose locomotives will be found in stages during destined cleaning hours or Saccos that fail to procure disposal services. Impromptu inspections will also be conducted and action taken against the non-compliant.
Directives to All Businesses
The business community was not spared either. Businesses will be required to provide adequate waste receptacles within their premises and ensure regular servicing. They will also be required to subscribe to licensed waste management service providers for proper collection and disposal of waste.
Similarly, traders will be required to ensure cleanliness within a 10-meter radius within their premises. The County warned legal actions would be taken to all traders who do not comply with the order.
"All business owners and landlords are hereby directed to comply with their requirements with immediate effect. Environmental Officers will conduct impromptu inspections to monitor the level of compliance," the notice announced.
"Non-compliance will result in prosecution as per the provisions of the law. Let us work together to maintain a dean and healthy environment in Nairobi," Mosiria warned.
According to the County, every person is entitled to a clean and healthy environment and has a duty to safeguard and enhance the quality of the environment.
"The Constitution of Kenya Article 42, guarantees every person the right to a clean and healthy environment, and in accordance with the devolved functions outlined under the Fourth Schedule, the County government has a responsibility to ensure proper waste management within their jurisdiction," read the notice in part.
Further, the County stated that the Solid Waste Management Act, of 2015, provides that solid waste management shall be a shared responsibility amongst all actors including the county government, generators, owners, and occupiers of promises and contracted service providers.
However, the county has noted a worrying trend of neglect by the business community that has resulted in a dirty environment.
"The Nairobi City County government has noted with great concern, during inspections by Environmental Offices, that many buildings lack adequate waste receptacles and are not subscribed to authorized waste management service providers," read the statement in part.
