In a broader strategy to restore order in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), the county government has announced new major measures it plans to implement.
To ensure the CBD remains free from noise pollution, the county has deployed askaris to arrest matatu touts and kamageras who shout and create disturbances while attempting to persuade customers to board their vehicles.
Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, issued a stern warning to the touts and kamageras, urging them to cease their disruptive behaviour in the city.
"We have strategically stationed our county askaris so that they can arrest those making noise in town, including matatu touts and kamageras shouting along the streets," Mosiria explained.
Shop owners who play loud music with DJs in their premises have also not been spared. According to Mosiria, this noise disrupts normal activities in the city and causes disturbances to nearby businesses and schools within the CBD.
The county is also focused on keeping the CBD clean. Shop owners who fail to sweep around their premises will face arrest, according to Mosiria.
"We gave all shop owners a notice: make sure you sweep a 10-metre radius. If not, you will be arrested and taken to court to explain why you are not following the county's directives," he stated.
Hotel owners in the city who fail to monitor and ensure proper disposal and management of their waste have also been warned. They have been directed to ensure waste is handled responsibly.
Mosiria revealed that the county is introducing new waste management systems to track where waste is disposed of and by whom.
According to the Chief Environment Officer, hotel owners in Nairobi significantly contribute to the city’s filth because they fail to dispose of their waste properly, leaving it to street families, who often dump it along roadsides.
Nairobi County has reiterated that every individual is entitled to a clean and healthy environment and must take responsibility for safeguarding and improving its quality.
Mosiria also criticised Nairobi residents for blaming the county government for the city’s uncleanliness, arguing that they themselves were not adhering to the policies necessary to maintain cleanliness.
