Plans by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to put up a multi-million recycling plant at the Dandora dumpsite will be delayed due to a pending feasibility study of the project.
The project was set to commence in January 2021 after NMS Director-General Mohammed Badi overruled plans for a public-private partnership and handed it over to Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) under the Ministry of Energy.
In a statement on Monday, February 8, KenGen disclosed that an independent consultant had been contracted to conduct the feasibility study which is expected to be completed in six months.
The feasibility study is set to determine the practicality and sustainability of setting up a plant at the county’s official dumpsite.
“We are enjoying a cordial relationship with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services and this will ensure that the project goes on as planned after the results of the feasibility studies come positive,” noted Kengen in a statement.
The power generating company noted that it was only after the results of the study that the tendering process will begin.
The recycling plant is expected to solve the county’s garbage problem and contribute to the renewable energy pool.
Badi had earlier stated that NMS plans to employ street children in the project which will also recycle waste. The street families will be tasked with separating solid wastes before they are taken to the dumpsite.
Dandora waste area is Nairobi County's main dumpsite and is reported to be carrying three times its current capacity.
It holds over 1.8 million tonnes of solid waste against a capacity of 500,000 tonnes as it receives over 2,500 tonnes of waste daily.
Cartels have been blamed for running the dumpsite, leading to embezzlement of county funds and a rise in criminal activities in the area.
General Badi vowed to restore sanity and to also solve the waste problem, a sector that saw him clash with former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
