Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced the introduction of a new conservancy fee to be added to water bills for all residents. The fee aims to support sustainable solid waste management, including repairing cleanup vehicles and purchasing new equipment. The announcement comes a week after President William Ruto revealed an agreement to relocate the Dandora dumpsite to Ruai.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced plans to introduce a conservancy fee on water bills to fund solid waste management. In an interview with NTV, Sakaja stated that the county government has engaged with the Water Services Regulatory Board (Wasreb) to incorporate the fee into water bills.
"Nairobi needs sustainable solutions that are not quick fixes, especially on the issue of garbage. We have finally agreed with WASREB to include the conservancy fee in the water bill," Sakaja said.
The fee will primarily support repairs to waste management vehicles and the purchase of new, durable equipment to be stationed across the county. Sakaja noted that during his upbringing in the city, water bills included a component for solid waste management, which later disappeared, and this fee will ensure everyone contributes for sustainable services.
Currently, an average Nairobi household pays about KSh1,200 for water, plus sewerage fees, fixed meter rent, standing charges, and 16 percent VAT, totaling around KSh2,000 monthly. The new fee will increase this amount.
The county will partner with the national government and private sector to generate revenue from waste management through recycling. Residents will also be educated on proper waste disposal, including litter bin usage, to reduce vandalism.
"In the past, garbage was just a cost centre; there was no revenue, and that led to pending bills. So we are partnering with the national government because they will do the offtake of fertiliser that will come from the waste," Sakaja said.
This announcement follows a week after President William Ruto disclosed an agreement with the national government to relocate the Dandora dumpsite to Ruai, financed through a joint comprehensive waste management program. The program will include establishing a modern waste treatment facility to convert refuse into fertiliser, energy, and other usable products.
“We have agreed to clean the city of Nairobi. Nairobi cannot be the city in the garbage. We have sat down with the governor. I will get money from the national government so that we can add to that of the county government so that we can clean the city of Nairobi,” Ruto said.
