Nema orders garbage collectors to remove waste from Kangemi

National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has given garbage collectors one week to remove litter dumped in Kangemi, Nairobi.

Nema Director of Enforcement Ayub Macharia warned of action against youths who dump garbage in the area.

"If this is not done we will take action against the youths who have been collecting the garbage and dumping it here instead of having people who have enlisted them in the work to take it to the dumping site in Dandora," said Macharia said on Monday in Kangemi.

During a meeting with landlords, tenants and garbage collectors in Kangemi, he said garbage collectors had only been allowed by the county government to sort the garbage and not dump it.

Landlords in Kangemi led by Tabby Rose decried the deplorable state of the dumping site and its environs saying it has attracted rodents, insects, maggots and scavenging birds.

The landlords insisted that the place is meant for afforestation and not a dumping site.

"I don't think an ultimatum of Monday to remove the garbage will be possible. The closure of the dumping site will deny hundreds of us and many youths in this area a source of livelihood," lamented John Kariuki who is one of the garbage collectors.

The area where the garbage is dumped had been earmarked by the government for construction of a fire station which the landlords have welcomed.

Last month, Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Ole Tuya urged Nairobi county government to remove waste from Kangemi memorial park.

The CS said dumping of garbage at the park was serious and needed to be addressed immediately.

"There's no debate about the issue and the county government has to address it immediately," said Soipan.

She said the memorial park needs to be respected and kept clean.