The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has begun works to construct a waste-to-energy power plant in Ruai.
The re-location of Dandora dumpsite comes after the lapse of the deadline issued by a Nairobi court for NMS to move the dumpsite within six months and establish a new and environmentally friendly landfill.
NMS Director of Strategic communications Tony Mbarine revealed that the agency is stabling waste material recovery facilities.
“The waste material recovery facilities will also ensure that a lot of garbage received is sorted and recycled, if necessary, as we transition to a circular economy,” Mbarine said.
Nairobi generates 3,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, majority of which is disposed of at the Dandora dumpsite.
Dandora dumpsite was officially opened in 1975 through World Bank funds, and it was considered full 26 years later in 2001.
However, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) objected to plans for the Ruai landfill in 2016, claiming that it was within the flight path of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The KCAA claimed that the dumpsite, which is only 10 kilometers away from the country’s main airport, would violate an International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) requirement that such a facility be at least 13 kilometers away from a runway.
Icao notes that movement of birds from a dumpsite that is near an airport can cause fatal accidents or serious damage to aircraft.
Plans to move it progressed in fits and starts, taking two county administrations and endless planning that almost saw it hit a dead end.
That is, until the environment and Land Court last July ordered it closed and relocated away from Dandora by February.
The case was filed by residents of Korogocho, who argued that they have a right to clean environment.
Through their officials, Isaiah Luyara and Wilson Yatta, they said toxic chemicals from the dumpsite find their way into Nairobi River, whose waters are used for irrigation, exposing city consumers to harmful food products.
They accused NMS and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) of violating their rights and sought orders to compel the two agencies to adopt measures to stop the pollution, which also affects Athi River.
Meanwhile, plans are in high gear to build a power plant in Ruai to convert waste into electricity.
In August 2020, Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and NMS announced plans to develop a 45-megawatt garbage-powered electricity plant.
KenGen was to develop and operate the plant, as NMS provided land and solid waste to feed it.
Dandora dumpsite was to be the initial project site but after concerns on aviation safety were raised a decision was made to shift the site to a more suitable location. This resulted in feasibility study, that settled on the Ruai sewerage treatment plant.
The two parties have now approved the feasibility study findings, giving the project their nod.
KenGen, in statement said that the proposal has been submitted to the government through Ministry of Energy and is being reviewed for approval to implement and to seek funding.
