Nairobi County has launched a renewed crackdown on illegal waste dumping in the Central Business District (CBD) after blaming the practice for persistent flooding following heavy rainfall.
Speaking after an inspection tour of the CBD, the County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service said the visit was prompted by numerous complaints from residents who reported severe waterlogging in key sections of the city after recent rains.
The CEC said the situation had reached unacceptable levels.
According to the county official, preliminary findings by county engineers revealed that most of the flooding is caused by garbage deliberately dumped into drainage channels.
The waste, largely attributed to some shop owners and hawkers operating within the CBD, has repeatedly clogged drainage systems, preventing rainwater from flowing freely.
“This impunity must be stopped,” the CEC said, warning that careless waste disposal is undermining efforts to keep the city functional, clean, and safe.
He noted that while the county continues to invest in drainage infrastructure, irresponsible human behaviour remains a major obstacle.
The CEC confirmed that county engineers are already on the ground unblocking clogged drains to ease flooding and minimise further disruption to businesses and transport within the CBD.
However, he stressed that enforcement, not just clean-up operations, will now take centre stage.
To that end, Nairobi County has deployed compliance officers across the CBD to monitor activities and enforce environmental and public health regulations.
The officers have been instructed to take firm action against anyone found dumping waste into drainage systems.
The county issued a clear warning that offenders will face immediate legal action without exception.
Authorities say the enforcement drive is part of a broader effort to address perennial flooding that has continued to disrupt economic activity in Nairobi during rainy seasons.