Articles | press_release

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: Stakeholders Call for Effective Implementation of Waste Management Laws and Systems to Tackle Pollution and Climate Change

Nairobi, June 5th, 2026 - Stakeholders have highlighted sustainable and inclusive waste management, as well as effective implementation of the existing waste laws, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, as critical components of climate action and combating pollution in Nairobi County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nairobi, June 5th, 2026 - Stakeholders have highlighted sustainable and inclusive waste management, as well as effective implementation of the existing waste laws, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, as critical components of climate action and combating pollution in Nairobi County. Stakeholders further underscored the need for stronger collaboration, innovation, and inclusive approaches to address the city's growing waste management challenges and safeguard the people and the planet. The call was made during a multi-stakeholder forum co-convened by the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) and the Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD).
The forum was held against the backdrop of this year's World Environment Day, which calls for accelerated climate action to address the urgent environmental and climate challenges facing communities around the world.

“Waste management is a shared responsibility. The national and county governments, communities, private sector actors, Producer Responsibility organizations and waste pickers all have a critical role to play in building sustainable waste management systems and enhancing the county’s resilience to environmental and climate-related challenges.” she said. “Addressing the challenges we face requires stronger collaboration among all stakeholders,” Christine Mwende Kivuva, Assistant Director for Environmental Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement at NCCG, speaking during the forum.

Kivuva noted that Nairobi, like many rapidly growing cities, continues to face increasing challenges in solid waste management. Her remarks reflect the broader reality of Nairobi’s rapidly evolving urban landscape, where increasing waste generation, pressure on infrastructure, and changing weather patterns are combining to heighten environmental and climate-related risks.
Griffins Ochieng’, Executive Director at CEJAD, highlighted that waste management challenges have far-reaching implications, particularly for communities most exposed to pollution and climate-related risks.

“The impacts of poor waste management are not experienced equally. Communities living near dumpsites, waste workers, women, children, and low-income households often face the highest exposure to pollution and its health consequences,” he said.

He further noted that organic waste remains one of the most significant yet under-addressed contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. When disposed of in dumpsites, organic waste decomposes and releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. He explained that waste segregation at source and zero-waste approaches such as composting present practical opportunities to significantly reduce methane emissions, which contribute substantially to global warming.
Shifting toward a non-toxic circular economy and zero waste systems, where waste is minimized and materials are recovered and reused, presents a sustainable alternative that operationalizes existing waste management laws, including the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, while reducing environmental pollution, improving resource efficiency, and advancing climate action.
Speaking on the county perspectives at the forum, Lawrence Mwangi, Assistant Director of Environment at NCCG, noted that Nairobi County is developing a Sustainable Waste Management Policy to align with national policy and legal frameworks, and strengthen waste management in the city. He called on all stakeholders to partner with the county in actualizing the policy and advancing sustainable waste management solutions.
The forum underscored that Nairobi's transition toward sustainable waste management is not only an urban governance priority but also a critical component of Kenya's broader climate, pollution reduction, and sustainable development agenda.

Key Priorities for Collaborative Climate Action to Tackle Pollution and Climate Change include:
  • Strengthening waste segregation at source across households, institutions, and businesses;
  • Expanding investment in organic waste management, composting, and resource recovery systems;
  • Scaling up sustainable infrastructure and circular economy value chains, including innovative approaches such as Black Soldier Fly (BSF) technology;
  • Recognizing, formalizing, and integrating waste pickers into waste management systems, as equal partners, ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making processes;
  • Implementing the waste management laws and ensuring compliance with the regulations; and
  • Strengthening public awareness, community participation and behavior change initiatives on waste prevention, reduction and management.

About CEJAD

Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD) is a Kenyan PBO promoting the sound management of chemicals and waste to protect human health and the environment, particularly for vulnerable populations. CEJAD is an accredited NGO to UNEP and actively advocates for eliminating toxic chemical exposure.
|Website: www.cejadkenya.org|

About the Nairobi City County Government

The Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) is mandated to provide public services and promote sustainable development within Kenya’s capital city. Through its Green Nairobi sector, the County oversees functions including solid waste management, environmental conservation, pollution control, and climate change, while working to improve environmental management and service delivery for city residents.
https://nairobi.go.ke/about-nairobi

 

 

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
About text formats

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
CAPTCHA
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Related program:

More programs

Our work under the Mercury Elimination Program aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds, in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a legally binding global treaty adopted in 2013. Kenya is a party to the Minamata Convention.

Under this program, CEJAD aims to eliminate the risk posed by exposure to lead in paints to women and children, and improve the regulatory frameworks to phase out lead in paint at national, regional and international level.

Our work under this program aims to promote the phase out of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) from use, especially in agriculture to protect human health and the environment. The use of HHPs is threatening the lives of vulnerable populations, food systems, biodiversity and the environment at large.

The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, protects the ozone layer by regulating ozone-depleting substances (ODS), such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). It mandates the phase-out of CFC and HCFC production and consumption with specific timeframes for different Parties, based on their status as a developed or developing country.

Our work under this program aims to reduce the health and environmental impacts associated with waste and plastics throughout their life cycle. Over the years, plastic and plastic products have emerged as problematic and hazardous to human health and the environment.