Nairobi County Intensifies Citywide Clean-Up Drive to Eliminate Waste Hotspots and Improve Urban Cleanliness

By Gedion Nzyoki - 

• Nairobi County has intensified a citywide clean-up campaign targeting waste hotspots and sanitation challenges across several estates, markets, and informal settlements.
• The “SafishaKaNairo” initiative brings together county authorities and sanitation stakeholders to promote environmental restoration, public health, and responsible waste management
• Residents and environmental stakeholders have been urged to support community clean-up efforts and long-term sustainability solutions aimed at transforming urban cleanliness in the capital

Nairobi, Kenya | May 7, 2026 — Nairobi County has intensified a large-scale citywide clean-up campaign aimed at eliminating waste hotspots, improving sanitation standards, and restoring environmental cleanliness across residential estates, informal settlements, markets, and public spaces throughout the capital.

The initiative, being implemented under the “SafishaKaNairo” campaign, forms part of coordinated efforts between Nairobi City County and Zoomlion Kenya to address the growing challenge of waste accumulation in densely populated areas.

According to a press statement seen by The Daily Brief, county officials described the intervention as an urgent response to the increasing accumulation of waste in densely populated neighbourhoods and illegal dumping zones that continue to pose serious environmental and public health concerns.

The statement noted that large-scale waste evacuation and environmental restoration activities are currently underway in several parts of the city, including Borabora and Kawangware-Gitanga in Dagoretti North, Morale Road and Kinyango in Kamukunji, CBD Market in Starehe, and Githwamba and St. Francis areas in Kasarani.

Other targeted areas include Vumilia in Embakasi East, Othaya Market and Kamukunji Grounds in Kibra, Area 1, Korogocho Market, and Ngomongo in Ruaraka, as well as Huruma Grounds, Mau Mau, and Huruma Flats in Mathare.

Additional clean-up operations are also ongoing in the Senior Citizen area in Dagoretti South, English Press in Embakasi South, alongside other identified waste-prone zones across Nairobi.

Health and sanitation experts involved in the campaign noted that proper waste management plays a critical role in preventing diseases associated with poor sanitation and contaminated environments, particularly in highly populated urban settlements.

Officials further stated that the campaign seeks to promote a stronger culture of environmental responsibility by extending sanitation services beyond commercial centres and affluent neighbourhoods to underserved communities.

As part of the awareness drive, media houses, bloggers, influencers, environmental advocates, and community organizations have been encouraged to use the hashtags #SafishaKanairo, #SafishaDandoraDumpingSite, and #CleanCities in related content and public engagement campaigns.

The campaign aims to strengthen public awareness on environmental conservation, encourage citizen participation in clean-up activities, and promote responsible waste disposal practices among residents.

Strengthening Community Engagement

Nairobi residents have also been urged to avoid illegal dumping, participate in community-led clean-up initiatives, and support efforts aimed at maintaining cleaner and healthier neighbourhoods.

County governments across Kenya have further been encouraged to adopt similar environmental restoration models to improve sanitation standards and public health outcomes in urban centres.

Environmentalists, recyclers, innovators, and sustainability stakeholders have additionally been called upon to collaborate on long-term waste management strategies, including recycling and waste-to-value solutions that can create economic opportunities while protecting the environment.

The ongoing “Clean Nairobi Beyond Reach” initiative continues to demonstrate the importance of coordinated action, public participation, and sustained commitment in transforming urban sanitation and environmental sustainability.

Inside Zoomlion Kenya’s Role in Nairobi’s Citywide Clean-Up Campaign

Zoomlion Kenya, which is spearheading the operations alongside Nairobi County, focuses on waste management, landfill evacuation, sanitation services, and environmental restoration programmes aimed at improving public health outcomes.

The project is being implemented under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, with officials clarifying that the government is not directly financing the operational execution of the initiative.