Economy

Homes face Sh200,000 fine over garbage firms

dump

The tough law is meant to ensure efficient waste collection and curb cases of illegal dumping by unregistered garbage collectors. PHOTO | FILE

Nairobi residents face a fine of Sh200,000 or two years in jail for contracting services of a garbage collector not registered by City Hall if a new Bill is adopted into law.

The Nairobi City County Solid Waste Management Bill requires that all garbage collectors register with City Hall in efforts by the county to regulate waste disposal.

The proposed law gives the county government powers to dispose junk waste such as obsolete automobiles, industrial plants, bicycles, machinery and other equipment after issuing a seven-day notice.

Landlords or tenants will also have to be registered for City Hall to have a list of homes were garbage is collected.

The tough law is meant to ensure efficient waste collection and curb cases of illegal dumping by unregistered garbage collectors.

“It shall be an offence for any waste generator to subscribe to a solid waste collection service provider who is not approved by the county government,” says the Bill.

County officers will be authorised to demand proof of registration from any premises and that it has subscribed to an approved collector.

“Every owner or occupier of any dwelling or any premises shall show proof, if required to do so by the authorised officer of safe disposal of refuse from his or her dwelling or premises,” says the Bill.

“It shall be sufficient proof of safe disposal of refuse if an authenticated payment receipt from a licensed private service provider in case of domestic waste is produced.” The Bill says no owner or occupier may keep junk waste in public or private premises.

“The county may hire the services of any person for the purposes of ensuring safe and environmentally friendly manner of disposal of junk waste,” the Bill adds.

The proposed law also gives the finance executive member the authority to impose an environmental levy on property owners at not more than two per cent of the land rates paid to City Hall.

An environmental levy has also been introduced in the County Finance Bill but only for businesses that deal with plastic bags. The levy will see businesses that deal with plastic bags and supermarkets pay up to Sh60,000 annually. Other firms will pay a lower charge of Sh2,400 yearly.

READ: Kidero unveils environment levy for all business owners

The Solid Waste Management Bill says the county will provide waste containers and that City Hall will be responsible for solid waste collection from public places.

Delivering a cleaner Nairobi is one of the benchmarks that city residents have been using to measure the effectiveness of the Nairobi administration, which many have termed unsatisfactory.

The rapid population growth and city expansion have made it difficult for City Hall to keep the city clean, paving the way for private sector service providers.

Nairobi has begun reforms on the unregulated private garbage collection business in what will see it eventually pick firms through public tenders and set waste collection fees.

This will start on Saturday in Kilimani, Lavington, Kileleshwa and Kangemi estates where Nairobi has contracted Sifa Cleaning Services to collect garbage in a three-year deal.

Residents of Kangemi will pay Sh150 per month while those who live in the other three estates will part with between Sh500 and Sh750.