The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has ordered the Nairobi City County to remove garbage trucks stationed at the premises of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) in Nairobi.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, NEMA’s Environmental Education director Ayub Macharia said that the retaliatory measures by City Hall violate environmental laws.
Macharia further noted that the neighboring residents and businesses have been unfairly affected by the bad smell coming from the garbage trucks.
“The smell does not respect boundaries. There are residential houses around here, there are eateries, some hotels, and some business premises that are affected. Although we heard of a conflict, other parties who are not part of the conflict are also being affected. That is why we have come here to uphold the rule of law. What we are doing now as NEMA is issuing an order to the Nairobi County government to do three things, and one of them is to ensure that those vehicles are removed from these sites. This is not a waste disposal site,” he said.
NEMA on licenses
He further directed the City County government to acquire licenses from NEMA arguing that environmental aspect of waste management is the work of the authority.
Macharia also ordered Nairobi County to cover the garbage trucks properly when moving in the streets to prevent possible spillover.
“When you look at that waste, it is not carried properly. Those vehicles are not covered, and when they move on our streets, the waste will be thrown by the wind and spill on the streets. They should also acquire licenses from NEMA so that we have a contract with them. The environmental aspect of waste management is the work of NEMA,” Macharia said.
Kenya Power-Nairobi county feud
The feud between Nairobi City County and the national electricity supplier escalated Monday, February 24, when Kenya Power reportedly disconnected power supply in various county government premises due to its failure to settle a Ksh3.1 billion electricity bill.
Kenya Power on Monday evening reported that four of its officers were arrested by the Nairobi County Government and others injured during the scuffle that ensued at Stima Plaza.
In a statement on Monday, February 24, 2025, Kenya Power said county officials, accompanied by armed National Police officers, stormed its headquarters at Stima Plaza and denied access to both customers and members of staff.
The county officers dumped a truckload of garbage at the main entrance of Stima Plaza and parked two other trucks filled with waste, effectively blocking three other entrances to the building.
“In addition, the officers clamped and towed 10 Kenya Power vehicles, as well as personal vehicles belonging to customers and staff that were parked in public parking spaces around Stima Plaza and Electricity House in Nairobi, despite having paid for the day’s parking fees to the County. The officers also harassed and arrested several of our employees, resulting in injuries to some of them,” Kenya Power stated.
According to the utility firm, the Nairobi City County Government has an outstanding debt owed to Kenya Power, which has accumulated over the years and currently stands at Ksh3 billion.
