Garbage collectors working for the Nairobi county government on Tuesday, March 3, began their strike in dramatic fashion as they trashed the city's Central Business District (CBD), leaving the streets choking in filth.
The workers in their trademark red overalls were seen in the morning overturning dustbins, with Kenyans widely sharing photos of solid waste all over Nairobi on social media.
The disgruntled workers downed their tools over non-payment of their dues for three months.
The garbage collectors loudly chanted as they marched through the city emptying the bins, voicing their discontent with the county government.
An agreement signed between the Governor Mike Sonko-led county government and the National Youth Service (NYS) in February is yet to take effect, worsening the situation.
The one-year renewable contract was to see the NYS collect garbage in five zones; Kamukunji, Roysambu,Makadara, Embakasi East and Ruaraka. It had a provision that, however, allowed the NYS to collect in other zones as well.
City Hall explained that it opted for the NYS as their charges were lower compared to market rates.
The non-payment is allegedly occasioned by in-fighting and wrangling at City Hall.
Environment County Executive Larry Wambua pointed fingers at the Finance department, stating that supremacy battles at the office had led to funds not being released to facilitate the payments.
Economic Planning Chief Officer Washington Makodingo, however, shifted the blame to the Environment department which he accused of failing to forward the list of those to be paid in a timely fashion.
"The Environment department should not blame us for their incompetence because they know they have slept on the job
"It is the responsibility of the Environment Department to forward the list of contractors to be paid to the Finance Department. They are supposed to give us their priority in terms of payment ... they should not blame their incompetence on us," he told Daily Nation.
