Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geofrey Mosiria, has announced a Ksh5,000 reward for anyone who apprehends those vandalising and fleeing with county dustbins.
The decision comes after an operation on Monday night led to the apprehension of a man accused of taking one of the newly installed dustbins.
The man was apprehended by guards around the Kencom area after being caught red-handed making away with part of the metallic bin, presumably to sell as scrap metal.
He was placed in the custody of the county askaris and is expected to face the law.
"Last night, we apprehended a young man who was caught looting county street dustbins. This serves as a stern warning to anyone involved in taking or vandalising public dustbins with the intent to sell them as scrap metal, you will not be spared," Mosiria said in a statement.
The bins installed last month are part of the county's environmental management programme that is set to improve the hygiene of the capital.
"Such individuals will face the full force of the law. Impunity must be stopped at all costs, and the protection of public resources is non-negotiable. We urge all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Let’s work together to safeguard what belongs to all of us," he added.
Mosiria told Kenyans.co.ke he would be giving Nairobi residents Ksh5,000 to help them join the efforts to stop the destruction of county property, particularly dustbins.
The money is not from the county but from funds from his own pocket, he said. “I will be personally giving Ksh5,000 to anyone who helps apprehend those looting dustbins in Nairobi,” he announced.
Because of their shape and design, the large, highly visible metallic bins make attractive prey for scrap metal dealers and could bring in a respectable amount of money on the black market.
The bins are rectangular in shape and have a top opening for litter to be dropped into. Another metallic mesh bin, which the man was seen trying to flee with, is located inside the bins.
The announcement was made just three weeks after the county placed the bins throughout the capital. After the ones that had been previously installed were stolen, the installation of the CBD bins, which are intended to serve pedestrians, began on Sunday, May 18.
Mosiria, who oversaw the exercise, issued a warning to participants not to dispose of commercial waste in the bins, stating that necessary legal action, including prosecution, would be taken as a deterrent.
