2021-06-15T15:44:20Z
Kenya Revised National Sustainable Waste Management Policy 2019.pdf
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REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY
****REVISED DRAFT****
24th April 2019
National Sustainable Waste Management Policy
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4
CHAPTER ONE: SITUATION ANALYSIS 7
1.1. National Situation 7
1.2. Negative Impacts of Waste 8
1.3. Waste Management at the Counties 8
1.4. Assessment of Waste Management Services 8
1.4.1 Waste Management Services at the Counties 9
1.4.2 Waste Management Services by Private Firms 9
1.4.3 Community Solid Waste Management Initiatives 10
1.4.4 Informal Sector 10
1.4.5 Role of the Citizens in Waste Management 11
1.5. National Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Waste Management in Kenya 11
1.6. Kenya’s Regional and Global Commitments to Waste Related Agreements 12
1.7. Overview of Challenges of Waste Management in Kenya 14
1.7.1 Regulatory and Policy Barriers. 14
1.7.2. Social- Economic Barriers: 15
1.7.3 Financial and infrastructural barriers 15
1.7.4 Technology and knowledge barriers 15
1.8. Gaps to be addressed 15
CHAPTER TWO: GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES 17
2.1. Goal 17
2.2. Objectives 17
2.3. Guiding Principles 17
CHAPTER THREE: POLICY INTERVENTIONS 20
3.1. Objective 1: Promote waste management through implementation of the waste hierarchy and
circular economy concepts 20
3.1.1 Adoption of Waste Hierarchy 21
3.1.2 Policy Measures for Prevention and Reduction 21
3.1.3. Policy Measures for Re-use 22
3.1.4. Policy Measures for Re-Cycling 23
3.1.5. Policy Measures for Composting/ Biological Processing of waste 24
3.1.6. Policy Measures for Waste Treatment before Disposal 25
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3.1.7. Policy Measures for Transiting from Dumpsites to Landfills 26
3.1.8. Policy Measures for Landfilling-(Disposal) 27
3.1.9. Policy Measures for Incineration (Waste to Energy) 28
3.2. Objective 2: Enhance Mapping, Planning, Segregation, Collection, Transportation and Service
Provision of Waste Management. 28
3.2.1 Policy Measures for Waste Mapping 29
3.2.2 Measures for Waste Segregation 29
3.2.3. Policy Measures for Collection 30
3.2.4 Policy Measures for Waste Transportation 32
3.2.5. Policy Measures for Waste Service Providers 32
3.2.6 Waste Service Providers Collectors and Transporters 33
3.2.7 Policy Measures for Material Recovery facilities (MRFs) 34
3.3. Objective 3: Strengthen the institutional framework that enables and enforces integrated
planning, budgeting, decision-making and implementation, at both the national and county level. 35
3.3.1. Policy Measures on Strengthening the Institutional Framework 35
3.4 Objective 4: Set up transparently managed financial mechanisms on national and county level to
invest in waste management infrastructure. 36
3.4.1 Setting up financial mechanisms 36
3.4.2. Policy Measures for Waste Reporting and Audit 38
3.5. Objective 5: Engage, strengthen and build partnerships with all stakeholders, including private
and informal sector, as well as the general public, including education for responsible waste
management behaviour. 38
3.5.1. Policy measures on Education and public awareness 39
3.5.2. Formalization of the informal sector 39
3.5.3. Capacity Development 40
3.5.4 Mainstreaming of Gender, Youth and Special Needs in Sustainable Waste Management 41
3.5.5 Collaboration and Stakeholders Participation 41
3.5.6. Research and knowledge management 42
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Waste is a resource that can be managed to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits.
Addressing the waste management challenge effectively in Kenya is critical to delivering on
Kenya’s constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment for all, advancing the circular
economy to create green jobs and wealth from the waste sector, and realisation of the nation’s
sustainable development goals. Sustainable waste management is also fundamental to delivery of
each of the government’s “Big Four” national priorities the transformational agenda on housing,
manufacturing, food and nutritional security and health care and to Kenya’s leadership in the blue
economy, with its focus on creating economic growth, ensuring healthy waters and building safe
communities.
This Policy will advance Kenya towards a more sustainable and circular economy. It will move
the country towards realization of the Zero Waste principle, whereby waste generation is
minimized or prevented. It will help ensure that waste is collected, separated at the source, reused
and recycled, and that the remaining waste stream is destined to a secure, sanitary landfill. If proper
regulatory frameworks and incentives are in place, such a system will build long-term resilience,
while generating new business and economic opportunities and providing broad environmental
and social benefits to all Kenyans. Effective sustainable waste management will create value from
the waste stream through re-use and recycling, formalizing the waste-pickers’ sector to improve
livelihoods, improving landfill operations and management including capturing and utilizing gases
like methane emitted from landfills. In addition closing open dumpsites; capping landfills,
reducing plastic pollution in the marine environment, and creating new jobs in the sector,
especially for youth and women, in waste collection and recycling will be other benefits.
Kenya aims to transition the waste sector in every county away from low collection rates, illegal
dumping and uncontrolled dumpsites to affordable waste collection, recycling and composting,
and minimise waste fractions that are finally disposed to a well-engineered and regulated landfill.
As Kenya’s economy and cities grow at accelerated rate consequent to devolution, the country’s
waste management challenges have reached major proportions. The current poor state of waste
management is a public health and environmental threat, a loss of valuable resources for job and
wealth creation, and an eyesore that negatively affects tourism and the well-being of all Kenyans.
Historically, waste has been viewed solely as a problem, not as a resource and economic
opportunity. The National Waste Management Policy aims to increase the value extraction from
waste and thus consider waste as a resource to the Kenyan economy. If properly managed as a
resource, waste recovery and recycling can create new jobs and attract new investment in a
diversified waste sector. This National Waste Management Policy commits the government to
establish legal frameworks and take actions that will enable Kenya to harness and incentivize large
scale investment in the waste recovery and recycling industry in Kenya.
This Policy aims to create the necessary regulatory environment that will enable Kenya to
effectively tackle the waste challenge, through adoption of waste hierarchy and circular economy.
This will include processing activities aimed at reducing or preventing waste generation and
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reusing of materials. Effective and affordable waste collection in all neighbourhoods where waste
will be separated at source, collected as per determined schedule for dry and wet waste. To
promote circular economy and locking valuable resources in the economy, the policy aims that all
waste collected by waste collectors should first go to materials recovery facilities (MRFs). At
materials recovery facilities materials extracted from waste will be managed in order of priority,
with the first priority being recycling and composting of organic waste; only the sorted residual
materials should then go to a waste-to-energy or landfill facility. Waste should be treated to reduce
toxicity or negative impact to the environment. Final disposal should be to an engineered landfill
that is regulated and controlled. The policy propagates for a zero waste approach where minimum
waste is disposed to the landfills.
To promote sustainable waste management as an income generating venture through circular
approaches and the policy seeks to, create an enabling policy and regulatory environment that will
incentivize and facilitate the establishment of multiple links for circularity in the waste value chain
that are currently missing in Kenya. The policy also supports the creation of the planning, finance,
technical and governance capacities that county governments need to effectively deliver on their
mandate under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, to be the lead actors in delivering sustainable
waste management services.
The constitutional framework of public administration established that sustainable waste
management is a devolved function under the Constitution of Kenya. The 47 county governments
have the lead role in delivering sustainable waste management. However the national government
must provide an enabling policy and regulatory environment to facilitate the counties to effectively
deliver waste management services including, facilitating inter-county cooperation under the
metropolis approach, financial incentives, research, technical advice and facilitation of public
awareness and education.
The suite of measures in this policy will support counties to fulfil their devolved responsibility of
delivering sustainable waste management services to the public to reduce burden through
reduction of pollution, improvement of public health, and promote green entrepreneurship thus
create green jobs and wealth locally from waste collection, r and recycling, compost production.
The policy also guides the strengthening of institutional and governance arrangements to facilitate
the practical achievement of sustainable waste management goals in every county.
The national government will undertake various core interventions, including the enactment of
national waste management legislation, implementing regulations and financial incentives to
provide the mandate and framework for coordinated action. The Policy also provides a framework
for sustainable waste management nationally, through the full implementation of zero waste and
circular economy principles, and through practical planning and implementation of waste
management at the county level. The national government should also establish and fully
implement coordinated policies and regulatory frameworks to address hazardous waste, electronic
waste, industrial waste, agricultural chemicals and medical waste, which have been a major source
of pollution, contaminating rivers and positing serious health and environmental threats.
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Effective waste management will also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, especially methane,
from the waste sector, contributing to the achievement of Kenya’s Paris Agreement commitments,
and reducing industrial waste, non-point run off and sewage waste to Kenya’s water bodies. It is
also important that the policy and law build on public involvement in the sector and incentivize
job creation and to improved livelihoods from the sector, particularly for women and youth who
play a critical role in socio-economic development. The challenge of waste management affects
every person and all institutions in the society. The measures set out in this policy cannot be
undertaken without a collective approach to waste management challenges, through involvement
of a broad range of stakeholders during implementation of this policy. This Policy therefore seeks
to establish a common platform for action between all stakeholders to systematically implement
sustainable waste management in Kenya.
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CHAPTER ONE: SITUATION ANALYSIS
1.1. National Situation
Kenya generates an estimated 22,000 tons of waste per day calculated by assuming an average of
per capita waste generation of 0.5 kilogrammes for a current population of 45 million both rural
and urban translating to 8 million tonnes annually. It is estimated that 40% of the waste could be
urban. Given that urbanization is increasing by 10%, by 2030, the Kenya urban population will be
generating an estimate of about 5.5 Million tonnes of waste every year, which is three times more
the amount of waste generated in 2009. Past inventories indicate a national average estimate of
60% - 70% of waste is organic waste, 20% plastic, 10% paper, 1 % medical waste and 2% metal.
Inefficient production processes, low durability of goods, unsustainable consumption and
production patterns lead to excessive generation of waste. Therefore, as population increases and
rates of production and consumption increases too, the estimated volumes of waste generated from
households, industries, agricultural services, construction, health care facilities will increase
exponentially. Nevertheless, the volumes stated above are estimates as at the moment there is no
systematically collected data on waste streams in Kenya. The main sources of waste are
households, manufacturing, commerce, health care, agriculture, waste treatment, construction
industry and mining waste. Generally in Kenya, there is not so much distinction of the various
waste categories and, all the waste from households, industries and health care facilities can be
referred to as municipal waste and if often unsorted and contaminated. This overburdens and
pollutes Kenya’s land, air and water resources. Despite efforts to encourage reuse, recycling and
recovery, the amount of solid waste generated remains high and appears to be on the increase.
Kenya has made commitments to the environmental protection. Article 42 in the Constitution of
Kenya (COK 2010) acknowledges that every person has the right to a clean and healthy
environment. The Kenya Vision 2030 sought to relocate Dandora dumpsite as well as develop
flagship functional compliant and sustainable waste management systems in Nairobi, Kisumu,
Eldoret, Nakuru, Thika, and Mombasa by the year 2030. The National Environment Policy 2014
proposed the development of the National Waste Management Strategy which led to the
development of the National Waste Management Strategy in 2015. The Environment Management
and Coordination Act Cap 387 and subsidiary regulations provide the framework of managing
waste in Kenya. The ban of the polythene carrier bags in 2017 contributed a positive impact
towards minimising solid waste generation in Kenya.
However, the regulatory frameworks are based on linear models and do not have adequate
provisions for circular model to waste management. There is need to redefine waste and the whole
waste management approach especially on need to extract total value of resources from waste
before disposal and where waste is only disposed or incinerated only if it cannot be recycled. The
Constitution of Kenya 2010 devolved waste management to the 47 county governments. However
these devolved units have inadequate framework for managing waste ranging from waste
management infrastructure, county laws, and inadequate capacity and technologies to support
sustainable waste management in Kenya. The constitutional assignment of waste management to
counties requires counties to align their waste management approaches to the waste hierarchy
priority and circular models for sustainability.
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1.2. Negative Impacts of Waste
Environment Protection entails devising strategies to protect and reclaim the environment in order
to establish a durable and sustainable system of development. Waste is one of the most imminent
environmental challenges in the growing urban areas in Kenya today. Its management, or lack
thereof has major implications to health, environment, economy and the society at large. Lack of
good waste management affect negatively the environmental quality indicators such as aesthetics,
ecology and human health. Reducing these negative impacts requires best practices in the way
waste is generated, stored, transported and disposed.
Bad practices with negative impacts to air, water and soil quality need to be stopped, When
materials are burnt, pollutants are released to the air, water soil and life support systems. These
negative impacts need to be minimized by introducing best technologies and environmental
practices.
1.3. Waste Management at the Counties
The counties are centres of socioeconomic growth for both urban and rural populations. However
there is no county with a developed infrastructure for waste management as exhibited by the
current situation of linear fashion of waste generation to collection, transportation and disposal at
sites that poses serious environmental challenges.
The population trends indicate rapid urbanisation, fuelled by both natural growth and rural-urban
migration and therefore increased waste generation. The most recent UN estimates indicate that
Kenya’s urban population will expand to 50 million by the year 2030, accounting for 62.7 percent
of the national population. Management of this waste will strain the capacity of Kenyan cities to
provide critical waste management services to urban residents.
It is estimated that 34.8% (i.e. 10 million) of the total population of Kenya reside in the urban
centres, with the largest five cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret) accounting
for a third of the urban population. It is estimated that they produce 2400, 2000, 1000, and 500
tonnes of solid waste daily respectively, and as the scale of future urbanisation increases, it will
continue to pose further socio-economic, environmental and institutional challenges for Kenyan
cities if adequate measures for waste management are not put in place.
County Governments have made tremendous progress in waste management through various
strategies including purchase of skips for waste dumping, sweeping the streets and markets,
regular collection of waste and development of by-laws, engagement of private firms to enhance
waste collection and transportation and disposal. However, poor linkage to policy, planning and
budgetary allocation at the grass root levels, poor coordination of departments dealing with waste
and lack of a proper waste management system are some of the problems counties are grappling
with in waste management.
1.4. Assessment of Waste Management Services
Waste Management services predominantly at the moment include collection, transportation and
disposal. Currently. only about 40% of the population receive waste management services and in
many parts of major cities, low income and informal settlements do not have waste collection
systems There is no systematic waste segregation at source and the recovery of recyclable items
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like plastics, papers, glass and metals is done by informal groups who mostly recover the materials
directly at the dumpsite.1 The composition of the domestic waste streams directed to dumpsites
varies considerably across counties and different locations based on a number of factors including
income, residential area, waste management services and opportunities to divert materials for
recycling.
1.4.1 Waste Management Services at the Counties
The 47 County Governments’ play a significant role in providing efficient and effective solid
waste management services to the citizens of Kenya. They are required to build effective waste
management systems that would lead to reduction, minimisation, and increase scale of recycling,
composting, treatment and regulation of final disposal of the waste. Most counties have zoned
specific areas for waste operation which are partially fenced, they have dumpsites that are mostly
manned during the day, there no segregation of waste at source. The main challenges facing waste
management in the counties include inadequate financing, poor infrastructure and technology, lack
of public awareness on good sanitary practices, inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks.
Counties are yet to upgrade to landfills and are still using dumping sites for waste management.
County Governments collect garbage from undesignated dumpsites in most informal settlements.
Without proper control, waste in most counties is often dumped in abandoned quarries, forests,
open fields, rivers or similar sites therefore exposing the residents to environmental hazards and
disease risks. In most counties, the structure of waste management is not well defined. With
increasing economic prosperity, increasing population and subsequently urbanization, county
governments are further challenged by collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of the ever
increasing quantities of solid waste. The new role assigned to counties on waste management
requires counties to align their waste management approaches to the waste hierarchy priority and
circular economy models for sustainability.
1.4.2 Waste Management Services by Private Firms
County governments have contracted private waste management firms to collect garbage,
transport and dispose waste and other related services. They also supply bins, liners and collection
bags. They mostly provide services to residential, commercial and industrial entities. In most
upmarket residential areas, garbage is collected twice a week, while in middle income areas, waste
is collected once a week. Franchising system for collection, transportation and disposal has also
been tried by a number of counties, where a county is zoned and private sector firms assigned to
deliver waste management services to the designated zones. The firms are in charge of both fee
and waste collection. This approach also has not been efficient as the firm’s exhibit monopolistic
tendencies, infighting over contracts between individual entities and assigned firms in the zones
and sustainability challenges as they are impacted by political change of county administration.
The system is also heavy reliant on to public sector for enforcement and therefore mountains of
garbage are still a common feature in most residential and market place and by the road sides. In
addition, the private sector waste management companies involved in collection of waste solely,
often are accused of illegal disposal of waste in rivers, by the road sides, quarries or even dispose
1 NEMA. The National Solid Waste Management Strategy. August, 2014
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illegally disposal at the dumpsites. In addition, there is no framework to guide fee charges of the
private sector waste management companies, thus most of them collect waste for a fee too high
that the majority of the Kenyan population, especially in informal settlement and marginalized
urban areas cannot afford.
Companies that deal with waste recycling have indicated that, since most of the collected waste
from household waste is not sorted and comprises of 60 per cent of organic waste, there is high
contamination of garbage rendering recycling impossible. Where recycling rates remain
significantly below their potential. If recycling is to be done, the collectors have to incur a cost to
clean the material before selling to third parties. This makes recycling expensive. Recycling
companies are faced by a number of challenges including opaque regulatory requirements,
multiplicity of licences and charges, lack of distinction in licensing of waste collection and
recycling and recycling sites often perceived as dumping sites as opposed to materials recovery
centres.
The private sector investment is expanding waste in collection, transportation, waste sorting at
material recovery facilities, recycling and production of marketable products from recovered
materials. There are also intentions to invest in waste to energy facilities, and secure engineered
landfills for final disposal of the non-recoverable fraction of the waste stream. Currently there is
inadequate regulatory, technical and economic support.
The high level of privatisation of waste management services by counties without proper
regulation and supervision has also led to uncoordinated delivery of waste services to citizens.
While private sector is key in sharing responsibility for waste management, institutionalising and
regulating the services provided by private sector waste management firms is crucial in order to
harmonise approaches to waste management in Kenya.
1.4.3 Community Solid Waste Management Initiatives
There are community solid waste management initiatives established by various communities’ and
youth and women groups in Kenya and are engaged in waste collection, sorting enhancing reuse
and recycling of waste. The members of the CBO often collect recyclable materials or pay street
families to do so. Most of the groups have used the proceeds of their services to uplift the
livelihoods of their members. The challenges they face include technical challenges for scale up
and lack of standards for recycled products, patenting of products and limited access to finance.
1.4.4 Informal Sector
Nationally, domestic waste is not adequately managed. In the informal settlements, the situation
is compounded by lack of ownership of the garbage and lack of collection points and many
inhabitants of such areas opt to through their garbage to nearby rivers, drainages, roadsides or
undesignated areas. On the other hand, most of the materials is recovered by the informal groups
and ‘street families’ from the dumpsites which often assists them eke a living. They recover
materials such as plastics, papers, glass and metals from the dumpsites. They are exposed to foul
odour, health risks as they often do not have protective cover; they are exploited and are often
perceived as criminals.
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From the above, there is therefore need for sustainable and integrated waste management that
enhances industrial and economic growth, improves public health and safety, not only in the cities
and towns, but also of the marginalized urban communities and rural communities.
1.4.5 Role of the Citizens in Waste Management
Citizens are key players in the management of waste. They are consumer of goods and services,
generators of waste, main players of waste minimisation and sorting at source. Their participation,
or lack of participation thereof, determines the success or failure of the adoption and
implementation of waste management initiatives. The societal culture, sense of accountability in
waste management, mind-set and behaviour shift is key in the adoption and implementation of
efficient waste management system in Kenya.
Kenyans have set the global pace in demonstrating how citizens can drive and sustain good
waste management practices through the adoption of the ban on plastics. They have consistently
supported environmental initiatives including general clean ups.
While in the past, waste management responsibility has solely been perceived as a government
responsibility, this policy acknowledges that all individuals generate waste and mainstreams the
role of citizens in waste management by adopting the mantra “my waste, my responsibility”.
The shift from mixed disposal at household level to “sorting of waste at source” of recyclable
materials, organic and other waste recoverable streams will be very key in the realisation of
circular economy in waste management. The policy places fundamental responsibility of
preventing the generation of waste from products, sorting of waste at source, returning goods and
packages collected under the system of deposit, payment of waste management services to
every individual, household and homeowners in Kenya.
The citizens will be also monitor and voice compliance by ensuring that their neighbourhoods’ are
kept clean and any illegal dumping of waste within their areas of residence is reported. The
implementation of this policy will thus require citizen support through embracing circular
economy and holistic waste management approaches
1.5. National Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Waste Management in Kenya
The Constitution of Kenya (CoK) article 42 states that every Kenyan citizen has a right to
a clean and healthy environment that includes the right to have the environment sustainably
protected through legislations and other measures. It also devolved solid waste
management to the 47 county governments. This is implemented through various policy
and regulatory frameworks as follows:
Environmental Management and Coordination Act Cap 387 and the EMCA Waste
Management regulations (2006) provides a general framework for waste management in
Kenya and provides a guide for licensing, transportation and disposal of waste. The
generator of waste, transporter, recyclers and institutions that own disposal facilities have
obligations to ensure the activities do not deprive citizens the above constitutional right.
The Waste Management Regulations- 2006 provide a framework for managing the
environment including waste management and classifies waste as hazardous and non-
hazardous waste, with a focus on transportation, disposal licensing and burying of waste
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National Environment Policy 2013 acknowledges that unsustainable consumption and
production patterns leads to excessive waste generation and calls for development of
integrated national waste management strategy, promotion of economic incentives to
manage waste and promotion of clean production, waste recovery, recycling and reuse.
The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Waste Management
Strategy (2015) aims to create a 7R oriented society in Reducing, Rethinking, Refusing,
Recycling, Reusing, repairing, refilling. Focus areas being waste collection, transportation,
and disposal and licensing. The order prescribed by strategy of the 7R is not in any
environmental waste management priority. The strategy also focused attention on the 5
urban centers proposed by Vision 2030.
Gazette Notice number 2356 of February 2017 totally banned ban on the manufacture,
sale, export and importation of plastic carrier bags in Kenya. The ban of the polythene
carrier bags effected in August 2017 contributed a positive impact towards minimizing
waste generation in Kenya.
Kenya Nationally Determined Contribution waste is considered a key mitigation sector for
the reduction of green gas house emissions. Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action
(NAMA 2016) proposal for a Circular Economy Solid Waste Management Approach for
Urban Areas in Kenya was developed by the MENR in 2016. The NAMA concept include
waste sorting, creation of recycling points, recycling of 600 tons of waste per day and
composting facilities for organic waste treatment.
The National Climate Change Action Plan 2018–2022 proposes to reduce GHG emissions’
through adoption of circular approaches to waste management and engineered landfills.
Additional instruments’ include Kenya vision 2030, Draft chemical regulations, 2019, Pest
Control Products Act, Cap 346 Asbestos guidelines, Air quality regulations 2014, E-waste
guidelines (2014)
The following regulations are currently under development or approval:
o E-waste management regulations.
o Asbestos handling and disposal guidelines.
o Regulations on used oil, waste tires and plastic wastes
o End of life tires regulation.
Counted number of counties have enacted waste management laws, a few have developed
draft solid waste management bills or validated solid waste management strategy while
most of them are yet to start the processes of developing appropriate policies and laws to
guide waste management in their counties.
The Sustainable Waste Management policy therefore provides a holistic framework for
sustainable management of waste in Kenya and the transition from linear models of
collection, transportation and disposal of waste to the adoption and effective
implementation of the waste hierarchy and circular economy that gives preference to
avoidance of waste, waste minimization, recycling, reusing and controlled disposal to
landfills while having less priority to incineration for human health and environmental
protection.
1.6. Kenya’s Regional and Global Commitments to Waste Related Agreements
Disposal of waste can also influence local and international trade. In this regard Kenya is also a
party/ signatory to the following international agreements where waste policy is critical.
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Implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and participation in the global debate
on waste gives Kenya valuable insights on what Kenya needs to do in order to its improve waste
management approaches.
Table1. International Conventions and Multilateral Waste Management Related
Agreements Ratified by Kenya
Multilateral
Environmental
Agreement
Ratification
Date
Provisions
Montreal Protocol on
substances that
deplete the ozone
layer
Ratified on
09/11/1988
A global agreement to protect the ozone layer by
phasing out production and consumption of ozone
depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons
and halons using innovative and flexible approaches.
UN Framework
Convention on
Climate Change
Ratified on
30/08/1994
Calls upon parties to protect the climate system for
the present and future generations by taking
precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent,
minimise the causes of climate change and mitigate
its adverse effects.
Kenya committed to reduce its Green Gas House
emissions by 30% compared to a business as usual
scenario of 143 MtCo2 emissions.
Basel Convention on
the Trans-boundary
Movement of
Hazardous Waste
and their Disposal
Ratified on
01/06/2000
It obligates parties to reduce trans boundary
movement of waste, minimise toxicity of hazardous
waste and ensure waste disposal and recovery is as
close as possible to the source of generation.
Stockholm
Convention on
Persistent organic
pollutant
Ratified on
24/09/2004
Requires all parties to take measures and reduce the
release of persistent organic pollutants that can lead
to serious, health defects including certain cancers
birth defects, dysfunctional immune system and
reproductive system and damage to central nervous
system.
Minamata
Convention on
Mercury
Signed on
10/10/2013
Is a global treaty to protect human health and
environment from adverse effect of mercury. It
includes the ban on mercury mines and phase out of
use of mercury in a number of products.
Amendment to the
Basel Convention to
include Plastics
Amended on
13/04/2019
This was amended and obligates parties to reduce
trans-boundary movement of plastic waste,
minimise pollution of plastic waste and manage
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plastic waste as close as possible to its source of
generation.
Bamako Convention
1998
Bans the import to Africa and controls trans
boundary movement and management of hazardous
waste within Africa.
Kenya is party to the “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Sustainable Development Goal 11 strives to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient and sustainable”. Target 11.6 requires member states to “by 2030, reduce the adverse per
capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and
municipal and other waste management”. Goal 12 sets out how to “Ensure sustainable
consumption and production patterns”. Target 12.3, requires member states to “by 2030, halve per
capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production
and supply chains, including post-harvest losses”. Target 12.4 aims to “by 2020, achieve the
environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in
accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air,
water and soil in order to minimise their adverse impacts on human health and the environment”.
Target 12.5, requires member states to “by 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through
prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse”.
The forth United Nations General Assembly ( UNEA4 of 2019) resolution UNEP/EA/4/L.8 on
environmentally sound management of waste called upon member states to promote integrated
approaches to solid waste management through sustainable consumption and production not
limited to circular economy, but also economic models, innovation, reduction of waste at source
of origin, minimisation of packaging materials, discouragement of planned obsolescence of
products, removal of hazardous substance from waste before recycling as well as give special
attention to recycling, re-use and reduction of landfilling as well as give application of waste
hierarchy for all waste. Kenya is a member of the United Nations and houses United Nations
Environment and thus resolved to adopt the resolution.
1.7. Overview of Challenges of Waste Management in Kenya
The following barriers have prevented Kenya from consistently implementing a sound
management and disposal of solid waste:
1.7.1 Regulatory and Policy Barriers.
Although a significant body of legislations on solid waste is in place, it is evident that an enormous
gap exists between the laws and their implementation.
●Collection and transportation of waste is carried out in an informal way.
●In many cases, waste is not collected and remains near the residential areas where it is produced
and burnt for volume reduction.
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●Lack of reliable waste manifest system to keep track waste generation, collection, transportation
and disposal.
1.7.2. Social- Economic Barriers:
●Change perception of waste, “nothing is waste, until it is wasted”
●Introduction of a waste hierarchy economy aimed at recycling valuable resources from waste is
still missing.
●Development the economic model for waste recycling not centred on the dumpsite itself:
●Appreciating the role of informal communities who are self-organized for collecting waste and
buyers who go directly to the dumpsite to buy waste.
●Consider the low quality of waste segregated and resold at the dumpsite which has the
detrimental effect to depress the market for recycled materials, therefore perpetuating the poverty
of people relying on the dumpsite waste.
●Support to communities who resist any modification on the municipal waste management
because of poor performance of previous attempts and because they perceive that modifications
may hinder their only source of income.
●The access to the national market for recycled material is not well organized.
●It is very common to see buyers buying recycled waste at the dumpsite, with the double effect to
impoverish the communities because of the low price offered, and to spoil the country of valuable
resources which if better used could contribute to the creation of jobs and business opportunities.
1.7.3 Financial and infrastructural barriers
Inadequate budgetary allocation and funding of waste management sector and
infrastructure
Challenge in sustainability/maintenance/upgrade and waste infrastructure
Inadequate waste collection receptacles, transfer stations, waste treatment
Lack of materials recovery facilities and engineered landfills.
1.7.4 Technology and knowledge barriers
Inefficient/lack of appropriate technology
Knowledge gap of waste hierarchy and circular model concepts in for the sector
1.8. Gaps to be addressed
The common way for managing waste in Kenya is open dumping and open burning of industrial
and health care waste without any substantial environmental control from the equipment and
facilities of disposal. The Policy intends to address the following gaps:
• Shift from waste to materials extraction of total value of waste
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• Segregation at source, proper collection, waste sorting at materials recovery facilities,
recycling and composting, waste treatment and disposal of all waste material to avoid
environmental contamination;
• Inculcating timely inventories on quantities and types of waste generated;
• Restriction of importation or dumping of hazardous waste material into the country as per
the Basel and Bamako conventions;
• Information dissemination, documentation and knowledge management on waste matters;
• Monitoring of establishments dealing with waste and enforcement of the legal framework
relating to waste management;
• Minimisation of toxic emissions as guided by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants
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CHAPTER TWO: GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
2.1. Goal
The goal of this framework policy is to protect public health and the environment, as well as to
create wealth and prosperity in the country by providing an enabling environment for integrated
waste management and minimization of waste generation, to contribute to a circular economy.
2.2. Objectives
The objectives of this Policy are to:
(i) Promote sustainable waste management through implementation of the waste hierarchy
and circular economy concepts.
(ii) Enhance mapping, planning, segregation, collection, transportation and audit of waste.
(iii)Strengthen the institutional framework that enables and enforces integrated planning,
budgeting, decision-making and implementation, at both the national and county level.
(iv) Set up transparently managed financial mechanisms at national and county level to invest
in waste management infrastructure.
(v) Engage, strengthen and build partnerships with all stakeholders, including private and
informal sector, as well as the general public, including education for responsible waste
management behaviour.
2.3. Guiding Principles
The implementation of this Policy will be guided by the following principles:
(i) Right to a clean and healthy environment: under the Constitution, 2010 every person in
Kenya has a right to a clean and healthy environment and a duty to safeguard and enhance
the environment.
(ii) Right to sustainable development: the right to development will be respected taking into
account economic, social and environmental needs. Kenya seeks to achieve people-centred
development that builds human capabilities, improves people’s wellbeing and enhances
quality of life.
(iii)Principle of Environmental Protection: there is need to balance socio-economic
development and environmental protection. In undertaking waste management, all entities
and individual shall provide high level of human, health and environmental protection.
(iv) Principle of Proximity: to minimise environmental impact and transport costs, in
accordance to the principle of proximity, waste shall be processed, treated and disposed as
much as possible to the location of its generation.
(v) Precautionary Principle: the principle that precautionary measures should be taken even
if some cause and effect relationship are not fully established scientifically when an
activity or product raises threats of harm to human health or the environment.
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(vi) Polluter pays principle: the principle that those who produce pollution or waste should
bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.
Makes the party responsible for polluting responsible for paying damage done.
(vii) Zero Waste principle: the principle that society should aim for zero waste,
designing and managing products and processes that reduce and eventually eliminate the
volume and toxicity of waste, to conserve and recover waste resources rather than to burn
or bury them. The Waste hierarchy establishes preferred program priorities based on zero
waste principle and sustainability. The standard outline of the hierarchy ranks 6 approaches
to waste management. In order (most preferable to least preferable) these are: prevention,
minimisation, reuse, recycle (including composting), energy recovery and disposal.
(viii) Extended producer responsibility: the principle that producers should be given
significant responsibility financial and/or physical for the treatment or disposal of the waste
from the products they create. Beyond easing government budgets for waste management,
such responsibility in principle incentivizes companies to prevent wastes at the source,
promoting more environmentally friendly product design and supporting the achievement
of public recycling and materials management goals.
(ix) System of deposit; When buying certain products, the buyer shall pay a certain added
value to the price of the product, which shall be returned to him/her upon restitution of the
used products and the packaging to the seller, provided that there is a possibility for the
used products and the packaging to be processed, for which they need to be labelled in a
manner established by law and another regulation.
(x) Partnership: building partnerships, collaboration and synergies among various
stakeholders from the public, government, non-governmental organisations, civil society
and private sector, as well as vulnerable communities and populations including women
and youth, will be prioritized to achieve effective implementation of this Policy. The
private sector will be encouraged to develop capacities for investment, construction and
service delivery in recycling and waste management.
(xi) Devolution and Cooperative government: embracing a system of consultation,
negotiation and consensus building in implementation of sustainable waste management
between and within the national and county governments.
(xii) Equity and social inclusion: ensuring a fair and equitable allocation of effort and
cost, as well as ploughing back of benefit’s in the context of the need to address
disproportionate vulnerabilities, responsibilities, capabilities, disparities, and inter– and
intra-generational equity. The communities that benefit from sustainable waste
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management shall be actively involved in planning, decision-making and oversight of
waste management activities. Capacity development, finance, training and labour
standards shall be availed to formalize the full integration of waste pickers in the
sustainable management of waste, including management systems.
(xiii) Integrity and transparency: the mobilisation and utilisation of financial resources
shall be undertaken with integrity and transparency in order to eliminate corruption and
achieve optimal results and ensuring that communities are given all relevant information
in a timely fashion.
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CHAPTER THREE: POLICY INTERVENTIONS
The Waste management hierarchy provides an order of environmental priority actions for proper
waste management. It stipulates an integrated approach to waste management by establishing an
order for reduction and management of waste., Extraction of total value from resources and
generation of minimum waste (the little waste to be disposed and disposal should be regulated)
.Proper application of the waste hierarchy helps in reduction of waste, conservation of energy and
resources, development of green technologies and market practices, prevention emission of green
gas houses and boost green economy and create new jobs in green entrepreneurship and resource
management industry. The policy interventions highlight the application of the waste hierarchy
and circular economy model for managing waste in Kenya as well the enabling framework to
support its implementation and realisation of a zero waste economy. This is illustrated in the
diagram below.
3.1. Objective 1: Promote waste management through implementation of the waste
hierarchy and circular economy concepts
Increasing population and urbanization in Kenya, has led to increasing challenges of collection,
re-use, recycling, treatment and disposal of the ever increasing quantities of solid waste. It is
estimated that more than 22,000 tons/ day of garbage is currently generated and only 10% is
recycled. Private Companies that deal with waste recycling have indicated that, since most of the
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collected waste from household waste is not sorted and comprises of 60 per cent of organic waste,
there is high contamination of garbage rendering recycling difficult and expensive.
3.1.1 Adoption of Waste Hierarchy
Sustainable and environmentally sound waste management is based on waste management
hierarchy that prioritises waste prevention and reduction, re-use, recycling and composting, waste
treatment and disposal to a regulated landfill with energy recovery as the last least environmental
friendly option. This policy sets priority order for managing waste as a resource that should be
harnessed in Kenya according to the waste management hierarchy by adopting the following
policy measures.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall
(i) Develop a national waste management law that prioritises and enforces the waste hierarchy
across the country.
(ii) Develop 5 year national zero waste management plan assessing status of waste have
management and long term approached for national waste prevention programmes and
approaches, future trends prediction and measures to ensure achievement of zero waste
status.
(iii) Support county governments to establish waste management infrastructure for source
segregation, standards and design for materials recovery facilities’ and engineered
landfills.
(iv) Review and align regulations for E-waste, medical waste, chemicals, pesticides’ and
radioactive waste in accordance to this policy.
County Government shall:
(v) Align place county waste management laws and strategies to the waste management
hierarchy.
(vi) Set aside sufficient land for waste management activities, and generate jobs and livelihoods
from waste collection, recycling, and waste management activities according to the waste
hierarchy.
(vii) Establish and improve waste management infrastructure to promote source segregation,
collection, reuse, set up materials recovery facilities and controlled disposal in engineered
landfills.
3.1.2 Policy Measures for Prevention and Reduction
Waste prevention are measures adopted to create less waste by reducing waste at source of origin
and minimising waste ending up to the landfill much as possible through integrating waste
reduction in production processes, use of eco-friendly inputs and packaging, better design of to
enhance durability, reusability and recyclability and use of , enhance segregation at source,
reduction of superfluous packaging, efficient resource use adoption of green procurement and
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extension of product lifecycle. The following policy measures are proposed for national
government and county government in order to reduce generation of waste:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government
1. The Ministry responsible for environmental affairs shall develop a 5 year rolling national
zero waste strategy that prioritises waste prevention, education and awareness programme.
2. Ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with the National Treasury
and government procurement agencies shall develop framework for adoption of green
procurement in public sector procurement by prioritising purchasing of b locally produced
goods and recycled products to boost green jobs and reduce negative impact of
transportation.
3. National government shall develop economic instruments frameworks that promote
waste prevention at industrial production.
4. The ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with ministry
responsible for industrialisation and standards authority shall develop regulations that
(i) Require all producers to use eco-friendly raw materials that generate less waste,
use cleaner production technologies and manufacture eco-friendly products,
packages and eco- labels that promote circularity.
(ii) Require all producers, manufacturers, processors and importers to declare lifecycle
environmental impact of their products and packaging in accordance to set
international standards.
(iii) Sustainable packaging regulations to reduce waste from packaging materials and
labelling guidelines requiring all producers, manufactures and importers to inform
sellers and the consumer of the characteristics of their product and packaging re-
use, re-turn, recyclability and measures to be taken with regard to waste
management at the end of the lifecycle.
County Government shall:
(i) Prioritise waste prevention and minimisation in conformance to the waste hierarchy when
developing waste management plans and legislation.
3.1.3. Policy Measures for Re-use
Re-use of products entails using again components or the product for the same purpose they were
conceived and includes cleaning and repair of discarded items to facilitate re-use.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:
1. Develop a national re-use framework for unutilised or excess goods between government
institutions in consultation with public procurement authority and Kenya Bureau of
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Standards to ensure that public sector organisations prioritise realistic re-use options over
purchase of new products.
2. Develop regulations and standards for locations for central collection system for materials
extracted from waste that can be re-used and ensure that storage does not endanger human
life, health or the environment.
County Government shall
1. Provide well managed central collection centres for materials that can be harvested
from waste that can be reused.
3.1.4. Policy Measures for Re-Cycling
Recycling entails recovery of materials from waste for reprocessing and production of secondary
raw materials. Recycling also entails preference to secondary raw materials in replacement
where feasible of primary virgin material. To promote circular economy and lock valuable
resources in the economy, the policy aims at maximising materials available for recycling through
the following measures:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:
1. Develop a 10 year national strategy for circular economy in Kenya reviewed every 5
years.
2. Review all laws and regulations and reclassify waste as “unsegregated waste” and
“recovered materials/ recyclable materials to give legal recognition of “recyclates”
extracted from waste in accordance to the recovered resource concept.
3. Review laws and regulations that categorise all materials extracted in accordance to
recovered resource concept and reclassify waste as “unsegregated waste” and segregated
recyclable items as “recyclates or recyclable materials”
4. Enhance transparency and accountability, national government shall review and align
licencing regime of waste management service providers and recycling facilities with a
view of proper categorisation and licensing of water service providers, materials recovery
and recycling facilities and landfill with an view of harmonising , fees and charges
according to the level at the value chain, ease the burden of compliance and consolidation
of the regime into a one stop shop/centralised and coordinated unit.
5. Develop regulations on handling end of life vehicles, machinery and equipment.
6. Stimulate development of a market for recycled materials in partnership with authority
responsible for standards shall develop and promulgate product standards for recycled
materials and organic compost.
7. Develop and promulgate quality standards for recycled materials and secondary raw
materials that will be developed in partnership with the authority responsible for standards.
8. Create a regulatory environment that promotes a functional market for waste and recycled
materials without compromising quality standards, public health and environment.
9. Put in place measures and economic instruments to reduce need for virgin materials in
favour of local recyclable materials in production process.
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10. Spur development and competitiveness of the recycling and materials recovery sector by
initiating a mechanism for exempting recycling business from presumptive tax, turnover
tax and recycled materials from VAT.
11. The ministry responsible for environment affairs shall institute regulations to require
commercial properties such as hotels, office buildings, hospitals to ensure that at least 50%
of their produced waste is recycled through a licensed service provider.
12. Develop co-processing guidelines that encourage the use of waste as raw material, to
replace natural minerals and fossil fuels in industrial processes, mainly in Energy Intensive
Industries (EII).
County Government shall:
1. Develop a 10 year county strategy for circular economy in Kenya reviewed every 5 years.
2. Create a County regulatory environment that promotes a functional market for waste and
recycled materials without compromising quality standards, public health and
environment.
3. Spur development and competitiveness of the recycling and materials recovery sector by
initiating a market and mechanism within the county procurement system to prioritise
recycled materials.
4. Institute county regulations to require county institutions to ensure that at least 50% of
their produced waste is recycled through a licensed service provider
3.1.5. Policy Measures for Composting/ Biological Processing of waste
A major waste stream is biodegradable material consisting of organic and kitchen waste, waste
generated in agriculture through poor post-harvest management, market places unsold produce,
fresh and rotten vegetable waste, expired grain produce and farm level agricultural waste which is
biodegradable under controlled aerobic conditions. Environmental effects of unmanaged bio waste
is green gas emissions and leachate production. Once segregated at source, composting is an
effective method for recycling organic waste. Embracing use of compost from organic (agriculture
and food based) and other suitable wastes will contribute the reduction in GHG. This will recycle
the nutrients outside of landfills. Not all bio-waste though can be used to produce compost due to
contaminants. The following policy measures are proposed:
Policy Statement
National Government shall:
1. Provide technical support to county governments and private sector to manage food and
organic wastes collection with appropriate treatment options depending on the local
conditions.
2. The ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with the ministry
responsible for agriculture and Standards agency shall develop guidelines and standards
and review relevant legislation to mainstream and recognise compost and organic fertiliser.
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3. Support market development of compost as an alternative or complimentary for synthetic
fertilizer by mainstreaming 40 % quota system for organic fertilizer in the national and
county fertilizer subsidy program.
4. Develop a public information and awareness campaign to disseminate the benefits of
composting as technology in waste management.
Concurrent
1. The national and county government shall carry out feasibility study to identify potential
sites for setting up composting plants and financial requirements of setting up composting
technology in the country.
County Government shall:
1. Identify and prioritise potential sites for setting up composting plants and financial
requirements of setting up composting technology in the county.
2. Establish clear procedures for providing incentives to encourage private sector
participation in composting ventures.
3.1.6. Policy Measures for Waste Treatment before Disposal
Waste treatment refers to physical, mechanical biological, thermal processing of waste with by
removal of toxic elements which if emitted would have severe environmental impacts before
disposal. The following policy measures shall apply to waste treatment.
Proposed Policy Statements
Waste Management Entities
All legal entities performing waste storage, treatment and processing of waste shall obtain an
environmental license from NEMA for performing such activity.
National Government
1. Minister responsible for environmental affairs shall develop regulations:
(i) That ensure that all residual waste is pre-treated to remove key recyclables material
and provide second opportunity to capture recyclates missed at source segregation
stage
(ii) That waste that cannot be re-used, or reprocessed or recycled be subjected to
physical, chemical, thermal or biological treatment in order to reduce toxicity,
volume and negative impact to human life, health and environment before final
disposal.
(iii) Review and align regulations for treatment before disposal of medical waste,
chemical packaging, pesticides, e-waste and radioactive waste.
2. The Minister responsible for environmental affairs shall prescribe the form and contents
of license application for waste treatment, storage, the minimum technical conditions,
organisational capacities and environmental standards for waste treatment activities and
facilities.
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3. Put in place a framework for enhancing access to both local and internationally best
practices, technological advancements, and technical process development for waste
treatment.
4. Develop health and safety standards for all waste treatment facilities in consultation with
ministry responsible for occupational standards.
5. In consultation with ministry responsible for technical education and the ministry in charge
of environmental affairs shall develop standard competency based training curricula for
waste treatment operators.
County Governments shall:
1. Domesticate waste treatment before disposal in County legislation.
Waste management facilities
1. The recyclers, bio-waste processors and material recovery facilities shall obtain environmental
compliance licences from NEMA.
3.1.7. Policy Measures for Transiting from Dumpsites to Landfills
Waste disposal is the final solution of discarding waste that cannot be used or reprocessed at the
least harm to human life, health or environment. Common disposal methods consists of landfilling
and incineration. Kenya will progressively phase out open dumpsites. Engineered landfilling will
be the last option of the waste hierarchy and should be minimized.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government Shall:
1. Develop guidelines for closure and decommissioning of existing dumpsites.
2. Ban all open burning of all waste at both household, commercial and institutional level.
3. Prohibit disposal of hazardous waste including, e-waste and asbestos in dumpsites and
landfills.
4. Ban disposal of unsorted waste to dumpsites and landfills and shall adopt Materials
Recovery Approach.
5. Ban disposal of electronic waste, recyclables and biodegradable waste in existing
dumpsites.
County Governments’ shall:
1. Develop a 3 year plan to transit from the current dumpsites and adopt landfilling for
residual waste.
2. Develop regulations and levying structure to promote the closure of open dumpsites and
establish engineered landfills for disposal of non-recoverable fractions of wastes only.
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3.1.8. Policy Measures for Landfilling-(Disposal)
A landfill is a controlled and regulated disposal site for unrecyclable waste with basic operations
and site management that has a controlled access, recording facilities for incoming waste control
and prevents the release of pollutants to soil, water and air. Landfills are used for wastes that have
no residual value. The disadvantages of landfill disposal is that they require large areas of land ,
heavy investments, energy intense , produce a lot of heat, can contaminate soil and water, and
emits climate-relevant methane, carbon dioxide and odors. In order to minimize the environmental
damage, modern landfills are equipped with a waterproof ground layer and the means to capture
leachate and monitor its quality. Alternatively, once the landfill is full, the waste can be
compressed and covered to capture the gas. This method is called landfill gas extraction and it
actually promotes the production of methane. The gas can either be flared on the spot, used to
generate heat and electricity (waste-to-energy), or processed to natural gas-like fuels.
Landfills should only be used for residual waste (waste with no commercial value left out after
segregation process in a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). The aim of this policy is to ensure
that only those materials that cannot be recycled are landfilled and shall apply the following
measures
Proposed Policy statements
National Government shall:
1. Develop classification, licensing requirements, standards and engineering and design of
landfill site design, planning, operations and monitoring systems, landfill waste audit for
non-hazardous, construction and hazardous landfills.
2. All landfills operations shall be automated and shall be managed by a waste manager with
requisite academic and technical competences as prescribed by the Cabinet Secretary in
charge of environmental affairs.
3. Develop landfilling regulations requiring that the activity of landfilling be performed by a
public entity or a licensed materials’ recovery facility on the basis of a license or contract
for performing works of a public interest or contract of concession.
4. Develop a public private partnership and concession framework for establishment and
operation of landfills by private operators.
5. Institute landfill tax to divert waste from landfills and dumpsites.
6. Ban landfilling of all biodegradables or recyclates.
7. Develop regulations on special conditions for disposing waste that cannot be re-used,
reprocessed or used as a source of energy including disposal of e-waste, asbestos, radio-
active and hazardous waste requiring special permit, special handling and disposal.
8. Prohibit landfilling and incineration of electronic wastes, infectious waste and radio-active
wastes which should be accorded separate handling management and disposal.
9. Waste disposal shall be undertaken with the best available technologies, equipment and
knowledge.
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10. Landfills operators shall engage full-time managers and install requisite weighing and
recording facilities at engineered landfills to prevent illegal dumping and facilitate accurate
report of waste volumes.
Concurrent
1. The national and county governments in consultation with the Ministry responsible for
lands and urban planning shall designate landfills according to the national and county
waste management plan while taking consideration of impacts on natural resources, land
use patterns’, sensitive ecosystems and cultural resources.
County Government shall:
1. Ensure that landfills are only used for residual waste that has no commercial value left
out after segregation process at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
2. Establish an engineered landfill in its county boundaries unless an inter-county or county
economic bloc agreement is in place for common disposal of waste in a jointly managed
engineered landfill.
3.1.9. Policy Measures for Incineration (Waste to Energy)
This is the thermal treatment of waste to convert it to energy, heat ash, and flue gas and shall be
the last preferred option as per the waste hierarchy for waste management in Kenya.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:
1. Develop incineration guidelines and regulations to ensure that all waste-to-energy programs
conform to the waste hierarchy and set of international conventions that Kenya is party to.
2. Develop guidelines and regulations for proper waste incineration activities for non-recyclable
waste and medical waste.
3. Review and align all existing incineration regulations and align with maximum extraction of
value form waste before disposal while ensuring that incineration is the option of last resort
and applicable only after all the higher level waste hierarchy priorities have been exhausted.
3.2. Objective 2: Enhance Mapping, Planning, Segregation, Collection, Transportation
and Service Provision of Waste Management.
With its increasing economic prosperity, increasing population and subsequent urbanization,
Kenyan county governments are challenged by collecting, segregation, treatment and auditing of
the ever increasing quantities of solid waste. There is need to organize waste collection,
segregation and transportation services so as to regularly gather and organize already existing data
while generating additional knowledge and information to inform planning and decision-making
for integrated waste management going forward.
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3.2.1 Policy Measures for Waste Mapping
The country’s ability to respond effectively to the waste challenge requires enhanced data
collection on waste generation, current waste disposal practices, waste minimization, reuse and
recycling opportunities, as well as the impacts of the current poor state of waste management on
public health and the environment.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Map current waste streams composition and value chain in Kenya and establish national
baselines.
2. Institute a national data collection system on all waste types, volumes generated and how
they are handled, to ensure that all policy and regulatory decisions at the national level are
informed by and based on credible data.
3. Develop a national reporting system for monitoring and enforcement, and maintain a
regularly updated waste management database of private entities engaged in waste
management services.
4. Incorporate waste management indicators into the National Integrated Monitoring and
Evaluation System
5. Map the waste value chain with a view of proper categorization and regulation of players
in the sector including waste handlers, waste treatment and processing and waste disposal.
County Government shall:-
1 Set up data collection system of the county waste streams, volumes generated and how
they are handled, registered service providers to ensure that all policy and regulatory decisions at
the county level are informed by and based on credible data.
2. Shall incorporate waste management indicators into the County Integrated Monitoring and
Evaluation System.
3.2.2 Measures for Waste Segregation
Waste segregation includes all measures to ensure quality of materials extracted from
waste and reprocessed is maintained for the realization of maximum value of resources
and environmental protection from waste. The following policy measures shall apply to
waste segregation:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Develop regulations that require all Institutions, businesses, commercial trading, Industrial,
residential and property developers to provide source segregation receptacles at their premises.
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2. Ministry responsible for environmental affairs in collaboration with ministry responsible for
housing and construction shall design standard waste segregation receptacles’ to be
mainstreamed in building designs.
3. Develop food waste regulations to require separate collection, transport and processing into
useful products thus diverting organic waste from landfilling by all institutions, commercial,
industrial and households waste generators.
4. Develop harmonised regulations and guidelines for the minimum waste fractions for sorting
at source at household, business, industrial and institutional levels.
5. Develop regulations requiring all hazardous and radioactive waste including electrical and
electronic equipment waste to be sent to a licensed recycling and recovery facility locally and
abroad for disposal.
6. Carry out national public awareness on waste segregation categories, colour codes and national
campaign on importance of sorting at source.
Concurrent
1. National government shall streamline and harmonise national and county government
regulations on licensing of sorting sites to avoid double licensing and make waste
management more attractive to investors.
County Government shall:-
1. Enforce waste fractions segregation at source based on the national gazetted minimum
waste fractions for all waste generators including household level.
2. Ensure waste service providers provide separate waste segregation containers to enable
sorting at source of organic waste, recyclable and non-recyclables and educate the waste
generators on the prescribed sorting categories and methods.
3. Carry out county public awareness on waste colour codes and importance of proper
sorting in all public labelled bins for easier sorting.
3.2.3. Policy Measures for Collection
Waste collection is the transfer of recyclable materials and waste from point of generation.
Waste collection should be managed in line with the waste hierarchy supportive of
extraction of maximum value principle of waste segregation and resource efficiency.
System of deposit return of products or containers allows for special upfront surcharge or
deposit by manufactures which is then refunded to the consumer when he or she returns
the containers or products for recycling or proper disposal. Historically, deposit systems
are used for glass, aluminium, plastic, drinking bottles and cans. Deposit- return systems
enhance collection of materials and packages and reduces contamination by incentivising
the consumer as well as enhancing recirculation back to the back to economy loop. The
following policy measures shall apply to waste collection:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
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1. Develop regulations and guidelines for nationwide collection and transportation
schedules in respect to waste fractions segregated at source.
2. Develop regulations on management of construction waste.
3. Develop extended producer responsibility regulations that require all producers,
importers, and distributors and traders to be members of a mandatory or registered
extended producer responsibility scheme.
4. The Ministry responsible for environmental shall develop regulations for deposit
return system and requirements for system operations, coordinator, administrators
and operators.
5. The ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with the
standards and labels agency shall provide regulations and standards for refund
marking of products and containers under the deposit return system.
6. The ministry responsible for environment affairs in consultation with ministry
responsible for trade and industry, and the ministry responsible for finance shall
specify materials and packaging subject to be managed under compulsory deposit
return system.
7. National Government in consultation with the authority responsible for labels and
standards shall develop regulations that all bottle containers and cans to have
ISSBN number or re-use/recycling mark that can be recognized by the reverse
vending machines to facilitate identification and implementation of deposit
system for bottle containers
8. Develop and formalize trade-in, take-back schemes, and innovative approaches for
collection of specific reusable products, packaging and other recyclable materials.
9. Develop economic incentive including tax measures to incentivise reverse vending
machines, balers and compactors to facilitate easy collection of voluminous waste
materials.
10. Ensure that all producers label the products or containers with a refund marking in
a manner established by law.
11. Ensure that all public event organisers submit waste management plan of the waste
generated or engage a licensed waste provider to manage waste generated during
the event.
12. The construction site manager shall be responsible for transportation of
construction waste to the materials recovery facility.
13. Individual citizens shall be responsible for transportation of bulky and abnormal
waste they generate to the community collection centre or materials recovery
facility.
County Government shall:-
1. Establish “ community and public collection centres“ guided by the principle of
proximity, where the public can discard a variety of recyclable household waste
such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, & metal including electronic products and
hazardous waste.
2. Ensure all citizens have access to waste collection services and receptacles
3. Prescribe the design, the size, construction and maintenance of public waste
receptacles for purpose of access and emptying.
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4. Authorise placing of waste receptacles on county roads and markets.
5. The property owners, landlords and caretakers be held responsible for waste
dumped infront and around their facilities.
6. Ensure Resident Associations shall cooperate with County Government to
eliminate waste dumping within their jurisdiction.
3.2.4 Policy Measures for Waste Transportation
Waste should be transported in an environmentally sound manner without causing pollution or
bad odour or further littering. A waste manifest system enables tracking of transportation of waste
both hazardous and non-hazardous till it reaches its disposal destination.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall-:
1. In consultation with authority responsible for transport design segregated waste
transportation designs for trucks and waste transportation vehicles and handcarts
including compartments for waste transportation vehicles, single colour for all
waste transportation trucks, standard labelling to identify waste service providers.
2. Require compulsory installation of GPS tracking device in waste collection trucks
to monitor movement of waste.
3. Develop guidelines requiring all legal entities or individuals handling industrial or
non-hazardous waste to provide identification and waste manifest.
4. Review and align all existing waste and recovered materials transport regulations
to this policy
Concurrent
1. The national and county governments shall review and harmonise waste
transportation charges.
2. National and county government in consultation with ministry responsible for
urban planning shall develop designs, guidelines, and requisite operations for
transfer stations for non-hazardous waste intended for storage, processing and
transfer to designated Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
County Government shall:-
1. Ensure that waste service providers transport their waste to materials recovery
facility and to a landfill.
2. Ensure waste transportation trucks adhere to air quality regulations.
3. Develop guidelines requiring all legal entities or individuals transporting waste
within the county provide tracking documents of source and destination.
4. Ensure that transportation of recycled materials and waste should be conducted in
an environmentally sound manner.
3.2.5. Policy Measures for Waste Service Providers
Waste Service Providers include legal entities or registered individuals and community groups
licensed to collect , transport waste , run and operate materials recovery facilities , Recycle,
33
treat and dispose waste to engineered landfills. The harmonisation of their services is very
crucial to ensure achievement of waste hierarchy goals and targets.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:
1. Establish a national integrated network of waste service providers, including collectors,
transporters, materials recovery facilities, waste treatment and disposal facilities for
coordinated delivery of waste management services in the country.
2. Develop guidelines, standards and regulations and licensing requirements to harmonize
waste management services and require that all waste service providers provide quality
services that protect human life, health and environment
3. Develop guidelines requiring all legal entities or individuals handling waste to provide
appropriate tracking documents.
4. Publish annually locations and managers contacts of established and licensed material
recovery facilities, recycling facilities, co-processing and energy recovery of waste.
County Government shall:-
1. Ensure that Waste collectors and transporters take their collected waste to materials
recovery facilities and not directly to dumpsites.
2. Publish annually a list of licensed organizations offering waste collection and
transportation services.
3. Supervise and regulate waste management service providers operating in their
jurisdiction to ensure they deliver effective waste management services to the materials
recovery facilities in accordance to the waste hierarchy priority.
3.2.6 Waste Service Providers Collectors and Transporters
The following policy measures shall apply to waste collectors and transporters:
1. Licensed waste management service providers shall be responsible for collection and
transportation of waste from locations specified in their contracts and transport them to
materials recovery facilities or licensed recycling facilities only.
2. Waste collectors and transporters shall adhere to nationally determined collection and
transportation schedules of sorted materials and waste streams.
3. Waste collectors and transporters shall submit a 3 year waste management plan aligned to
the waste hierarchy priorities for the area of coverage as part of the licensing requirements
with a direct linkage to Materials Recovery facilities for further sorting and processing of
waste collected.
4. Waste Service collectors shall put in place customer charters setting out charging fees,
collection schedules, and collection of extra waste or removal of bulky waste as well as
provide protective equipment and proper identification of their employees/waste handlers.
34
5. Waste service collectors and transporters shall provide health safety information to all staff
and visitors regarding waste handling and ensure their staff possess the requisite technical
and knowledge on waste management.
3.2.7 Policy Measures for Material Recovery facilities (MRFs)
A materials recovery facility (MRF) is a specialized plant that receives, separates and
prepares recyclable materials for marketing and subsequent use in terms recycling of the
dry materials and composting of the organic materials and processing of secondary raw
materials. MRFs form an integral part of a circular economy value chain as waste materials
need to be sorted first before they can be recycled.
To promote circular economy and locking valuable resources in the economy, the policy
aims that all waste collected by waste collectors should first go to MRFs and only the
sorted residual materials should then go to a waste-to-energy or landfill facility.
Proposed policy statements
National Government shall:-
1. Set higher gate fees for waste-to-energy and landfill facility than those of MRFs to
ensure that materials are moved to MRFs.
2. Ensure the Material Recovery facilities be licensed in accordance with guidelines
and regulations developed by the National Environmental Management Authority
(NEMA).
3. Ensure MRFs be the only facilities allowed to take waste to engineered landfills.
4. Promote the usage of MRFs, NEMA will issue bin liner licenses to MRFs who will
in turn only issue the bin liners to waste collectors and transporters using the
specific MRFs. (This will ensure that waste transporters use MRFS while also
ensuring that issued plastic waste bin liners will be recovered and sorted for
recycling).
Concurrent
The National and County Governments shall:-
1. Ban unsorted waste dumping and shall adopt Materials Recovery approach.
2. Redesign existing dumpsites into Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs) for sorting,
processing and recycling solid waste using manual and mechanical methods and be
compliant with appropriate safety, health and environmental standards.
3. Redesign existing dumpsites into Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs) for processing and
recycling solid waste using manual and mechanical methods and be compliant with
appropriate legislation.
4. Facilitate establishment of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in Industrial and special
economic zone or close to an engineered sanitary landfill to facilitate efficient movement
of waste from various generators and disposal of residual or biodegradable materials.
5. In consultation with ministry responsible for urban planning shall develop designs,
guidelines, and requisite operations for transfer stations for non-hazardous waste intended
for storage, processing and disposal as well as designate Material Recovery Facilities
(MRF) and develop safety, health, and environmental standards.
35
County Government shall:-
1. Ensure that Waste collectors are licensed to take unsorted waste materials only to
MRFs instead of transporting them to dumpsites directly.
2. Consolidate an annual report of the MRFS and submit to the Ministry responsible for
environmental matters.
3. County government shall collect and transport residual waste from MRF to the
landfills.
Materials Recovery Facility Operators
1. Ensure all material recovery facilities submit a 3 year waste management plan with
clear linkages to waste collectors, recycler and landfills for the area of coverage as
part of the licensing requirements.
2. Ensure all materials recovery facilities automate their operations and record trucks
that enter facility (plate number, amount) technical and organizational capacities
and provide data quarterly to county governments of materials received, quantities
sorted and dispatched or disposed to a landfill.
3.3. Objective 3: Strengthen the institutional framework that enables and enforces
integrated planning, budgeting, decision-making and implementation, at both the
national and county level.
3.3.1. Policy Measures on Strengthening the Institutional Framework
Currently, there exists gaps in the coordination and enforcement of environmental legislation on
waste management in the country. The situation has been exacerbated by the lack of national
policy for the coordination of waste management. Further, laws related to waste management are
fragmented and outdated leading to disparities in regulation and enforcement by different
government institutions and counties.
The situation has resulted in the uncoordinated and uneven manner in which these institutions
implement the waste management functions. To address these gaps, this policy outlines the roles
and responsibilities of the government entities, devolved units and stakeholders as follows:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Review and align current national waste management strategy to the waste management
hierarchy and circular model.
2. Establish an inclusive waste management council under the Environment Secretary that
shall develop, coordinate and oversight the implementation of the national waste
management plans, reporting and monitoring of set national targets and goals, strategies
and activities.
3. License materials recovery facilities, waste treatment facilities and landfills.
36
4. Develop a 4 year transition framework for licensing of waste transporters from NEMA to
Counties as part of transition provision by this policy.
5. Involved in establishing on public legal redress on waste management matters.
Concurrent
1. Ensure that the waste management enforcement and inspection regime is robust and well
resourced.
County Government shall:-
1. Develop county waste management plans aligned to this policy.
2. Licence waste service providers including collector and transporters
3. Mainstream county waste management oversight in the county environment committee.
Citizens
1. Individuals and households shall contribute to the costs of providing the services used for
segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of the wastes they generate.
3.4 Objective 4: Set up transparently managed financial mechanisms on national and
county level to invest in waste management infrastructure.
Adequate and predictable financial resources are a crucial component for achieving Kenya’s
sustainable waste management objectives. Given the extent of the waste management challenge,
it is important to ensure that internal and external sources of finance are mobilized. Kenya
therefore requires a suitable framework to attract and efficiently utilise waste management finance.
Governments at all levels will be required to integrate sustainable waste management actions into
budgetary processes. Sufficient budgetary allocation for all institutions performing sustainable
waste management functions will be prioritised to ensure that the necessary human, technical and
financial resources are available.
3.4.1 Setting up financial mechanisms
Economic incentives are useful tools to encourage good solid waste management practices and
incentivize investment in waste management in addition the polluter pays principle to ensure that
waste management at County level is financially viable. The Ministry will, in collaboration with
lead agencies and County Governments, optimize the country’s opportunities to mobilize finance
for sustainable waste management, and ensure coordination across all national and county
government bodies.
Economic instruments that encourage or discourage particular behaviour or actions with respect
to sustainable waste management will be critical to augment other legal and regulatory
instruments.
The government recognizes the need to strengthen transparency and accountability and will take
necessary steps to prevent corrupt practices in waste management finance and actions.
37
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Adopt a sustainable waste management finance strategy and eligibility criteria that enables
implementation of priority actions.
2. Explore possible avenues to attract internal and external sustainable waste management
finance, including through foreign direct investment and other multilateral or bilateral
funding
3. Ensure sufficient resources for institutions engaged in sustainable waste management
education and public awareness.
4. In collaboration with the National Treasury promote private sector involvement in the
waste sector through the introduction of incentives, removal of investment barriers, and
creation of a conducive investment climate and facilitation of access to finance.
5. Prepare and implement a comprehensive, full costing of the national waste management
action plan developed by the waste management Council and periodically review its
financing under the framework of this Policy.
Concurrent
1. The national and county governments shall set up a 5 year waste Infrastructure delivery
programme including financial support through waste infrastructure grants for material
recovery facilities, waste treatment to address shortfall in residual waste treatment
capacity.
County Government
1. Allocate resources for sustainable waste management actions in county budgetary
processes.
2. Build capacity to mobilise and enhance absorption of resources for sustainable waste
management interventions.
3. Promote the creation of green jobs by establishing an enabling policy framework for
investment, and creating business friendly regulatory environments in recycling, green
economy, and sustainable waste management.
4. Support waste management enterprises at county level, including those run by vulnerable
and marginalized Groups.
5. Oversee sector specific anti-corruption, transparency, accountability and integrity
mechanisms to safeguard prudent management of finances.
Citizens and Individuals
1. Waste generators including individuals and households shall contribute to the cost of waste
management services.
38
3.4.2. Policy Measures for Waste Reporting and Audit
The purpose of waste audit is to monitor waste management activities and compliance with waste
management procedures and regulations. It is fundamental in accounting for waste and data
generation for planning and informing decision making.
Proposed Policy Statements
County Government shall:-
1. Provide semi-annual reports to the national waste management council showing how and when
materials were collected within their jurisdiction, volume of materials recycled and measures
undertaken to implement the waste hierarchy in the county.
Concurrent
1. National and county governments shall through the national waste management council shall
establish annual consultative forum for Waste Management Development and stock taking
towards the set waste hierarchy priority targets.
Waste Management Service Providers Reporting and Audit shall:
1. Submit report and data on organizational and technical capacities, measures for waste handling
in the order of waste hierarchy on a quarterly basis to the county government.
2. Keep monthly records of quantity, source of waste, storage, waste handled or processed or
handed over to recyclers and waste intended for disposal, technical and organizational
capacities and submit the report to county government on a quarterly basis.
3. All waste treatment and disposal facilities shall record trucks that enter facility (plate number,
amount) technical and organizational capacities and provide data quarterly to county
governments.
National Government shall:-
1. Through the ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with national waste
management council shall publish bi annual national report on waste management in the
country and level of achievement of the waste hierarchy including total volume of waste
collected in the country, total recycled and disposal methods and measures being undertaken
to ensure best environmental and zero waste outcomes are being achieved.
2. The Cabinet Secretary responsible for environmental affairs shall prescribe conditions and
requirements including technical, equipment, facilities and competencies to be fulfilled by
waste auditors and accreditation of bodies eligible for waste assessment and audit.
3.5. Objective 5: Engage, strengthen and build partnerships with all stakeholders,
including private and informal sector, as well as the general public, including education
for responsible waste management behaviour.
39
In order to enhance an integrated waste management system, it is essential to engage with and
educate all stakeholders, since each one plays a unique role. The current situation is that
stakeholders are not working together. The informal sector is inadequately integrated in the formal
waste related economy. Citizens are not fully aware of their roles. The private sector is mainly
implementing business as usual approach. Government does not have appropriate engagement
programs and mechanisms. Therefore, different measures and approaches are needed to ensure
participation and coordination of all stakeholders.
3.5.1. Policy measures on Education and public awareness
Raising and maintaining awareness on integrated waste management is crucial to enhance the
participation and increase the responsibility of the public as a positive agent of change. Inclusion
of sustainable waste management knowledge into the education curriculum at all levels should be
prioritized.
Policy Statements
National government
1. Develop a training and certification curriculum for waste management professionals.
2. Enhance the mainstreaming of sustainable waste management in education curriculum at
all levels through Environmental Education and extra-curriculum activities.
Concurrent
1. National and County governments shall incorporate sustainable waste management
knowledge into governments public awareness initiatives
2. National and County governments shall collaborate with, and support, media, private
sector and civil society in incorporating sustainable waste management into their advocacy
and public awareness raising programmes
3. National and County governments shall encourage smart purchasing such as buying right
amount of goods like food so that none goes to waste.
4. National and County governments shall provide timely information on waste management
using diverse platforms including their websites.
3.5.2. Formalization of the informal sector
The informal sector plays a vital role in the waste management system, especially in the collection
and recycling of waste. Recognizing their role and including them in the formal economy are
necessary steps to enhance an integrated waste management system and contribute to a circular
economy.
40
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Translate the waste hierarchy campaign in local languages for easier understanding of
the informal sector.
Concurrent
National and County governments shall:-
1. Support the formalization of the informal sector through mapping and organisation and
legal registration of the waste pickers groups.
2. Train the informal groups on this policy, waste hierarchy, materials recovery facilities,
safety measures and marketing of recycled waste and products.
3. Strengthen linkage between informal sector with markets for recycled materials.
County Government shall:-
1 Assign communal waste collection centres and transfer stations to formalised and
organised groups to manage the services
2 Mobilise communities especially in the informal settlements and support formation of
community based waste management groups or organisations.
3 Support waste management initiatives of the formalized groups through County Waste
Funds.
3.5.3. Capacity Development
Capacity-development on sustainable waste management is critical for multiple sectors of the
economy, the public, and national and county governments. Its focus will include the training of
government and county institutions to effectively implement policy frameworks, laws and
regulations. It will also include the private sector through capacity building and knowledge
transfer on the circular economy and move beyond business as usual model.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Develop and implement a sustainable waste management capacity development strategy
targeting public institutions (ministries and counties) as well as private sector and informal
groups
Concurrent
1. National and County governments shall train public officers at ministry and county level
as well as private sector and informal groups on the enforcement of the policy
2. National and County governments shall build capacity on segregation, collection,
41
recycling.
County Government shall:-
1. Prioritize proximity in capacity building and waste management interventions.
2. Develop and implement a sustainable waste management capacity development strategy
targeting public institutions (ministries and counties) as well as private sector and informal
groups within their jurisdiction
3.5.4 Mainstreaming of Gender, Youth and Special Needs in Sustainable Waste
Management
In view of their unique roles in society, women and men can be active agents to address sustainable
waste management challenges. The youth represent a crossover between the present and future
generations, and therefore play a critical part in socio-economic development. It is necessary to
carve out opportunities for them to participate in the decision-making processes of waste
governance. Moreover, creating job opportunities for people with special needs in the waste
management sector should be prioritized.
Proposed Policy Statements
1. The County government shall put in place mechanisms to ensure and enhance the
participation of the youth and vulnerable groups in sustainable waste management
decision-making and implementation
2. National and County governments shall undertake a systemic analysis of the various
special needs. Based on the analysis, job opportunities and incentives for people with such
needs should be included in the waste management system.
3.5.5 Collaboration and Stakeholders Participation
Although the Government will continue to play the lead role in waste management and planning,
it will foster participatory partnerships with the County governments, private sector, formalised
informal sector, civil society organisations, international agencies and media
Proposed Policy Statements
National government shall:
1. Promote international collaboration to harness best practices, technology and resources for
waste management.
2. Strengthen partnerships for implementation of the waste management hierarchy especially
hazardous waste through the Basel convention and other bilateral programs.
Concurrent
42
National and County governments shall:-
3. In collaboration with industry shall align their waste management approaches and priorities
to this policy.
4. Develop and implement a partnership strategy targeting the mentioned diverse
stakeholders and ensure the establishment of partnerships in a coordinated manner.
5. Promote and facilitate regional waste management approaches for certain types of wastes
where economic viability is a challenge.
3.5.6. Research and knowledge management
Technological innovation, which involves expanding and adapting existing waste management
technologies to the national or local context requires not only strong capabilities of the various
actors but a strategy to build, enhance and maintain the requisite human resource capacity. Waste
management is a dynamic paradigm and requires consistent research and innovation as new waste
streams are released regularly. Universities and research institutions play a critical role in
generating data to guide decision making as well as innovation development. Currently, there is
inadequate research being carried out on waste management.
Research data handling requires enhanced coordination to enhance its availability to all players.
Currently, research data is scattered in diverse libraries and portals and there is inadequate
coordination. In this regard, knowledge management will be strengthened to play a critical role in
guiding waste planning and interventions.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Enhance the capacity of the public and private sectors, civil society and research
institutions to develop and utilise technological innovations for waste management.
2. Establish waste and material recovery research and training institution to build professional
waste management capacity in the country.
3. Develop a portal to share waste related data and information.
Concurrent
National and County governments shall:-
1. Identify research and technology needs and promote strategic and systematic waste
management-related research, impact and vulnerability assessments, and technology
development and diffusion.
2. Enhance linkages between government, academia, private sector, civil society and global
sustainable waste management innovation institutions.
Production | Importation
Waste Generation and
segregation
CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR THE PROPOSED CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR
WASTE MANAGEMENT VALUE CHAIN IN KENYA
Collection and
Transportation
Consumers
Materials Recovery Facility |__|
Reception: Sorting and
Waste disposal
(landfill) (5%)
Treatment
U__,}
Waste-to-energy (5%)
Manufacturers
| 1 Recycling (30%)
¥
ioeenind Farmers
|, | Composting (60%) —
ba PN]
Institutional Arrangements, Planning and Finance, Infrastructure, Skills and Technology, Education and Awareness,
Audit, Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting , Research and knowledge Management,
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY
****REVISED DRAFT****
24th April 2019
National Sustainable Waste Management Policy
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4
CHAPTER ONE: SITUATION ANALYSIS 7
1.1. National Situation 7
1.2. Negative Impacts of Waste 8
1.3. Waste Management at the Counties 8
1.4. Assessment of Waste Management Services 8
1.4.1 Waste Management Services at the Counties 9
1.4.2 Waste Management Services by Private Firms 9
1.4.3 Community Solid Waste Management Initiatives 10
1.4.4 Informal Sector 10
1.4.5 Role of the Citizens in Waste Management 11
1.5. National Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Waste Management in Kenya 11
1.6. Kenya’s Regional and Global Commitments to Waste Related Agreements 12
1.7. Overview of Challenges of Waste Management in Kenya 14
1.7.1 Regulatory and Policy Barriers. 14
1.7.2. Social- Economic Barriers: 15
1.7.3 Financial and infrastructural barriers 15
1.7.4 Technology and knowledge barriers 15
1.8. Gaps to be addressed 15
CHAPTER TWO: GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES 17
2.1. Goal 17
2.2. Objectives 17
2.3. Guiding Principles 17
CHAPTER THREE: POLICY INTERVENTIONS 20
3.1. Objective 1: Promote waste management through implementation of the waste hierarchy and
circular economy concepts 20
3.1.1 Adoption of Waste Hierarchy 21
3.1.2 Policy Measures for Prevention and Reduction 21
3.1.3. Policy Measures for Re-use 22
3.1.4. Policy Measures for Re-Cycling 23
3.1.5. Policy Measures for Composting/ Biological Processing of waste 24
3.1.6. Policy Measures for Waste Treatment before Disposal 25
3
3.1.7. Policy Measures for Transiting from Dumpsites to Landfills 26
3.1.8. Policy Measures for Landfilling-(Disposal) 27
3.1.9. Policy Measures for Incineration (Waste to Energy) 28
3.2. Objective 2: Enhance Mapping, Planning, Segregation, Collection, Transportation and Service
Provision of Waste Management. 28
3.2.1 Policy Measures for Waste Mapping 29
3.2.2 Measures for Waste Segregation 29
3.2.3. Policy Measures for Collection 30
3.2.4 Policy Measures for Waste Transportation 32
3.2.5. Policy Measures for Waste Service Providers 32
3.2.6 Waste Service Providers Collectors and Transporters 33
3.2.7 Policy Measures for Material Recovery facilities (MRFs) 34
3.3. Objective 3: Strengthen the institutional framework that enables and enforces integrated
planning, budgeting, decision-making and implementation, at both the national and county level. 35
3.3.1. Policy Measures on Strengthening the Institutional Framework 35
3.4 Objective 4: Set up transparently managed financial mechanisms on national and county level to
invest in waste management infrastructure. 36
3.4.1 Setting up financial mechanisms 36
3.4.2. Policy Measures for Waste Reporting and Audit 38
3.5. Objective 5: Engage, strengthen and build partnerships with all stakeholders, including private
and informal sector, as well as the general public, including education for responsible waste
management behaviour. 38
3.5.1. Policy measures on Education and public awareness 39
3.5.2. Formalization of the informal sector 39
3.5.3. Capacity Development 40
3.5.4 Mainstreaming of Gender, Youth and Special Needs in Sustainable Waste Management 41
3.5.5 Collaboration and Stakeholders Participation 41
3.5.6. Research and knowledge management 42
4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Waste is a resource that can be managed to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits.
Addressing the waste management challenge effectively in Kenya is critical to delivering on
Kenya’s constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment for all, advancing the circular
economy to create green jobs and wealth from the waste sector, and realisation of the nation’s
sustainable development goals. Sustainable waste management is also fundamental to delivery of
each of the government’s “Big Four” national priorities the transformational agenda on housing,
manufacturing, food and nutritional security and health care and to Kenya’s leadership in the blue
economy, with its focus on creating economic growth, ensuring healthy waters and building safe
communities.
This Policy will advance Kenya towards a more sustainable and circular economy. It will move
the country towards realization of the Zero Waste principle, whereby waste generation is
minimized or prevented. It will help ensure that waste is collected, separated at the source, reused
and recycled, and that the remaining waste stream is destined to a secure, sanitary landfill. If proper
regulatory frameworks and incentives are in place, such a system will build long-term resilience,
while generating new business and economic opportunities and providing broad environmental
and social benefits to all Kenyans. Effective sustainable waste management will create value from
the waste stream through re-use and recycling, formalizing the waste-pickers’ sector to improve
livelihoods, improving landfill operations and management including capturing and utilizing gases
like methane emitted from landfills. In addition closing open dumpsites; capping landfills,
reducing plastic pollution in the marine environment, and creating new jobs in the sector,
especially for youth and women, in waste collection and recycling will be other benefits.
Kenya aims to transition the waste sector in every county away from low collection rates, illegal
dumping and uncontrolled dumpsites to affordable waste collection, recycling and composting,
and minimise waste fractions that are finally disposed to a well-engineered and regulated landfill.
As Kenya’s economy and cities grow at accelerated rate consequent to devolution, the country’s
waste management challenges have reached major proportions. The current poor state of waste
management is a public health and environmental threat, a loss of valuable resources for job and
wealth creation, and an eyesore that negatively affects tourism and the well-being of all Kenyans.
Historically, waste has been viewed solely as a problem, not as a resource and economic
opportunity. The National Waste Management Policy aims to increase the value extraction from
waste and thus consider waste as a resource to the Kenyan economy. If properly managed as a
resource, waste recovery and recycling can create new jobs and attract new investment in a
diversified waste sector. This National Waste Management Policy commits the government to
establish legal frameworks and take actions that will enable Kenya to harness and incentivize large
scale investment in the waste recovery and recycling industry in Kenya.
This Policy aims to create the necessary regulatory environment that will enable Kenya to
effectively tackle the waste challenge, through adoption of waste hierarchy and circular economy.
This will include processing activities aimed at reducing or preventing waste generation and
5
reusing of materials. Effective and affordable waste collection in all neighbourhoods where waste
will be separated at source, collected as per determined schedule for dry and wet waste. To
promote circular economy and locking valuable resources in the economy, the policy aims that all
waste collected by waste collectors should first go to materials recovery facilities (MRFs). At
materials recovery facilities materials extracted from waste will be managed in order of priority,
with the first priority being recycling and composting of organic waste; only the sorted residual
materials should then go to a waste-to-energy or landfill facility. Waste should be treated to reduce
toxicity or negative impact to the environment. Final disposal should be to an engineered landfill
that is regulated and controlled. The policy propagates for a zero waste approach where minimum
waste is disposed to the landfills.
To promote sustainable waste management as an income generating venture through circular
approaches and the policy seeks to, create an enabling policy and regulatory environment that will
incentivize and facilitate the establishment of multiple links for circularity in the waste value chain
that are currently missing in Kenya. The policy also supports the creation of the planning, finance,
technical and governance capacities that county governments need to effectively deliver on their
mandate under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, to be the lead actors in delivering sustainable
waste management services.
The constitutional framework of public administration established that sustainable waste
management is a devolved function under the Constitution of Kenya. The 47 county governments
have the lead role in delivering sustainable waste management. However the national government
must provide an enabling policy and regulatory environment to facilitate the counties to effectively
deliver waste management services including, facilitating inter-county cooperation under the
metropolis approach, financial incentives, research, technical advice and facilitation of public
awareness and education.
The suite of measures in this policy will support counties to fulfil their devolved responsibility of
delivering sustainable waste management services to the public to reduce burden through
reduction of pollution, improvement of public health, and promote green entrepreneurship thus
create green jobs and wealth locally from waste collection, r and recycling, compost production.
The policy also guides the strengthening of institutional and governance arrangements to facilitate
the practical achievement of sustainable waste management goals in every county.
The national government will undertake various core interventions, including the enactment of
national waste management legislation, implementing regulations and financial incentives to
provide the mandate and framework for coordinated action. The Policy also provides a framework
for sustainable waste management nationally, through the full implementation of zero waste and
circular economy principles, and through practical planning and implementation of waste
management at the county level. The national government should also establish and fully
implement coordinated policies and regulatory frameworks to address hazardous waste, electronic
waste, industrial waste, agricultural chemicals and medical waste, which have been a major source
of pollution, contaminating rivers and positing serious health and environmental threats.
6
Effective waste management will also reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, especially methane,
from the waste sector, contributing to the achievement of Kenya’s Paris Agreement commitments,
and reducing industrial waste, non-point run off and sewage waste to Kenya’s water bodies. It is
also important that the policy and law build on public involvement in the sector and incentivize
job creation and to improved livelihoods from the sector, particularly for women and youth who
play a critical role in socio-economic development. The challenge of waste management affects
every person and all institutions in the society. The measures set out in this policy cannot be
undertaken without a collective approach to waste management challenges, through involvement
of a broad range of stakeholders during implementation of this policy. This Policy therefore seeks
to establish a common platform for action between all stakeholders to systematically implement
sustainable waste management in Kenya.
7
CHAPTER ONE: SITUATION ANALYSIS
1.1. National Situation
Kenya generates an estimated 22,000 tons of waste per day calculated by assuming an average of
per capita waste generation of 0.5 kilogrammes for a current population of 45 million both rural
and urban translating to 8 million tonnes annually. It is estimated that 40% of the waste could be
urban. Given that urbanization is increasing by 10%, by 2030, the Kenya urban population will be
generating an estimate of about 5.5 Million tonnes of waste every year, which is three times more
the amount of waste generated in 2009. Past inventories indicate a national average estimate of
60% - 70% of waste is organic waste, 20% plastic, 10% paper, 1 % medical waste and 2% metal.
Inefficient production processes, low durability of goods, unsustainable consumption and
production patterns lead to excessive generation of waste. Therefore, as population increases and
rates of production and consumption increases too, the estimated volumes of waste generated from
households, industries, agricultural services, construction, health care facilities will increase
exponentially. Nevertheless, the volumes stated above are estimates as at the moment there is no
systematically collected data on waste streams in Kenya. The main sources of waste are
households, manufacturing, commerce, health care, agriculture, waste treatment, construction
industry and mining waste. Generally in Kenya, there is not so much distinction of the various
waste categories and, all the waste from households, industries and health care facilities can be
referred to as municipal waste and if often unsorted and contaminated. This overburdens and
pollutes Kenya’s land, air and water resources. Despite efforts to encourage reuse, recycling and
recovery, the amount of solid waste generated remains high and appears to be on the increase.
Kenya has made commitments to the environmental protection. Article 42 in the Constitution of
Kenya (COK 2010) acknowledges that every person has the right to a clean and healthy
environment. The Kenya Vision 2030 sought to relocate Dandora dumpsite as well as develop
flagship functional compliant and sustainable waste management systems in Nairobi, Kisumu,
Eldoret, Nakuru, Thika, and Mombasa by the year 2030. The National Environment Policy 2014
proposed the development of the National Waste Management Strategy which led to the
development of the National Waste Management Strategy in 2015. The Environment Management
and Coordination Act Cap 387 and subsidiary regulations provide the framework of managing
waste in Kenya. The ban of the polythene carrier bags in 2017 contributed a positive impact
towards minimising solid waste generation in Kenya.
However, the regulatory frameworks are based on linear models and do not have adequate
provisions for circular model to waste management. There is need to redefine waste and the whole
waste management approach especially on need to extract total value of resources from waste
before disposal and where waste is only disposed or incinerated only if it cannot be recycled. The
Constitution of Kenya 2010 devolved waste management to the 47 county governments. However
these devolved units have inadequate framework for managing waste ranging from waste
management infrastructure, county laws, and inadequate capacity and technologies to support
sustainable waste management in Kenya. The constitutional assignment of waste management to
counties requires counties to align their waste management approaches to the waste hierarchy
priority and circular models for sustainability.
8
1.2. Negative Impacts of Waste
Environment Protection entails devising strategies to protect and reclaim the environment in order
to establish a durable and sustainable system of development. Waste is one of the most imminent
environmental challenges in the growing urban areas in Kenya today. Its management, or lack
thereof has major implications to health, environment, economy and the society at large. Lack of
good waste management affect negatively the environmental quality indicators such as aesthetics,
ecology and human health. Reducing these negative impacts requires best practices in the way
waste is generated, stored, transported and disposed.
Bad practices with negative impacts to air, water and soil quality need to be stopped, When
materials are burnt, pollutants are released to the air, water soil and life support systems. These
negative impacts need to be minimized by introducing best technologies and environmental
practices.
1.3. Waste Management at the Counties
The counties are centres of socioeconomic growth for both urban and rural populations. However
there is no county with a developed infrastructure for waste management as exhibited by the
current situation of linear fashion of waste generation to collection, transportation and disposal at
sites that poses serious environmental challenges.
The population trends indicate rapid urbanisation, fuelled by both natural growth and rural-urban
migration and therefore increased waste generation. The most recent UN estimates indicate that
Kenya’s urban population will expand to 50 million by the year 2030, accounting for 62.7 percent
of the national population. Management of this waste will strain the capacity of Kenyan cities to
provide critical waste management services to urban residents.
It is estimated that 34.8% (i.e. 10 million) of the total population of Kenya reside in the urban
centres, with the largest five cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret) accounting
for a third of the urban population. It is estimated that they produce 2400, 2000, 1000, and 500
tonnes of solid waste daily respectively, and as the scale of future urbanisation increases, it will
continue to pose further socio-economic, environmental and institutional challenges for Kenyan
cities if adequate measures for waste management are not put in place.
County Governments have made tremendous progress in waste management through various
strategies including purchase of skips for waste dumping, sweeping the streets and markets,
regular collection of waste and development of by-laws, engagement of private firms to enhance
waste collection and transportation and disposal. However, poor linkage to policy, planning and
budgetary allocation at the grass root levels, poor coordination of departments dealing with waste
and lack of a proper waste management system are some of the problems counties are grappling
with in waste management.
1.4. Assessment of Waste Management Services
Waste Management services predominantly at the moment include collection, transportation and
disposal. Currently. only about 40% of the population receive waste management services and in
many parts of major cities, low income and informal settlements do not have waste collection
systems There is no systematic waste segregation at source and the recovery of recyclable items
9
like plastics, papers, glass and metals is done by informal groups who mostly recover the materials
directly at the dumpsite.1 The composition of the domestic waste streams directed to dumpsites
varies considerably across counties and different locations based on a number of factors including
income, residential area, waste management services and opportunities to divert materials for
recycling.
1.4.1 Waste Management Services at the Counties
The 47 County Governments’ play a significant role in providing efficient and effective solid
waste management services to the citizens of Kenya. They are required to build effective waste
management systems that would lead to reduction, minimisation, and increase scale of recycling,
composting, treatment and regulation of final disposal of the waste. Most counties have zoned
specific areas for waste operation which are partially fenced, they have dumpsites that are mostly
manned during the day, there no segregation of waste at source. The main challenges facing waste
management in the counties include inadequate financing, poor infrastructure and technology, lack
of public awareness on good sanitary practices, inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks.
Counties are yet to upgrade to landfills and are still using dumping sites for waste management.
County Governments collect garbage from undesignated dumpsites in most informal settlements.
Without proper control, waste in most counties is often dumped in abandoned quarries, forests,
open fields, rivers or similar sites therefore exposing the residents to environmental hazards and
disease risks. In most counties, the structure of waste management is not well defined. With
increasing economic prosperity, increasing population and subsequently urbanization, county
governments are further challenged by collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of the ever
increasing quantities of solid waste. The new role assigned to counties on waste management
requires counties to align their waste management approaches to the waste hierarchy priority and
circular economy models for sustainability.
1.4.2 Waste Management Services by Private Firms
County governments have contracted private waste management firms to collect garbage,
transport and dispose waste and other related services. They also supply bins, liners and collection
bags. They mostly provide services to residential, commercial and industrial entities. In most
upmarket residential areas, garbage is collected twice a week, while in middle income areas, waste
is collected once a week. Franchising system for collection, transportation and disposal has also
been tried by a number of counties, where a county is zoned and private sector firms assigned to
deliver waste management services to the designated zones. The firms are in charge of both fee
and waste collection. This approach also has not been efficient as the firm’s exhibit monopolistic
tendencies, infighting over contracts between individual entities and assigned firms in the zones
and sustainability challenges as they are impacted by political change of county administration.
The system is also heavy reliant on to public sector for enforcement and therefore mountains of
garbage are still a common feature in most residential and market place and by the road sides. In
addition, the private sector waste management companies involved in collection of waste solely,
often are accused of illegal disposal of waste in rivers, by the road sides, quarries or even dispose
1 NEMA. The National Solid Waste Management Strategy. August, 2014
10
illegally disposal at the dumpsites. In addition, there is no framework to guide fee charges of the
private sector waste management companies, thus most of them collect waste for a fee too high
that the majority of the Kenyan population, especially in informal settlement and marginalized
urban areas cannot afford.
Companies that deal with waste recycling have indicated that, since most of the collected waste
from household waste is not sorted and comprises of 60 per cent of organic waste, there is high
contamination of garbage rendering recycling impossible. Where recycling rates remain
significantly below their potential. If recycling is to be done, the collectors have to incur a cost to
clean the material before selling to third parties. This makes recycling expensive. Recycling
companies are faced by a number of challenges including opaque regulatory requirements,
multiplicity of licences and charges, lack of distinction in licensing of waste collection and
recycling and recycling sites often perceived as dumping sites as opposed to materials recovery
centres.
The private sector investment is expanding waste in collection, transportation, waste sorting at
material recovery facilities, recycling and production of marketable products from recovered
materials. There are also intentions to invest in waste to energy facilities, and secure engineered
landfills for final disposal of the non-recoverable fraction of the waste stream. Currently there is
inadequate regulatory, technical and economic support.
The high level of privatisation of waste management services by counties without proper
regulation and supervision has also led to uncoordinated delivery of waste services to citizens.
While private sector is key in sharing responsibility for waste management, institutionalising and
regulating the services provided by private sector waste management firms is crucial in order to
harmonise approaches to waste management in Kenya.
1.4.3 Community Solid Waste Management Initiatives
There are community solid waste management initiatives established by various communities’ and
youth and women groups in Kenya and are engaged in waste collection, sorting enhancing reuse
and recycling of waste. The members of the CBO often collect recyclable materials or pay street
families to do so. Most of the groups have used the proceeds of their services to uplift the
livelihoods of their members. The challenges they face include technical challenges for scale up
and lack of standards for recycled products, patenting of products and limited access to finance.
1.4.4 Informal Sector
Nationally, domestic waste is not adequately managed. In the informal settlements, the situation
is compounded by lack of ownership of the garbage and lack of collection points and many
inhabitants of such areas opt to through their garbage to nearby rivers, drainages, roadsides or
undesignated areas. On the other hand, most of the materials is recovered by the informal groups
and ‘street families’ from the dumpsites which often assists them eke a living. They recover
materials such as plastics, papers, glass and metals from the dumpsites. They are exposed to foul
odour, health risks as they often do not have protective cover; they are exploited and are often
perceived as criminals.
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From the above, there is therefore need for sustainable and integrated waste management that
enhances industrial and economic growth, improves public health and safety, not only in the cities
and towns, but also of the marginalized urban communities and rural communities.
1.4.5 Role of the Citizens in Waste Management
Citizens are key players in the management of waste. They are consumer of goods and services,
generators of waste, main players of waste minimisation and sorting at source. Their participation,
or lack of participation thereof, determines the success or failure of the adoption and
implementation of waste management initiatives. The societal culture, sense of accountability in
waste management, mind-set and behaviour shift is key in the adoption and implementation of
efficient waste management system in Kenya.
Kenyans have set the global pace in demonstrating how citizens can drive and sustain good
waste management practices through the adoption of the ban on plastics. They have consistently
supported environmental initiatives including general clean ups.
While in the past, waste management responsibility has solely been perceived as a government
responsibility, this policy acknowledges that all individuals generate waste and mainstreams the
role of citizens in waste management by adopting the mantra “my waste, my responsibility”.
The shift from mixed disposal at household level to “sorting of waste at source” of recyclable
materials, organic and other waste recoverable streams will be very key in the realisation of
circular economy in waste management. The policy places fundamental responsibility of
preventing the generation of waste from products, sorting of waste at source, returning goods and
packages collected under the system of deposit, payment of waste management services to
every individual, household and homeowners in Kenya.
The citizens will be also monitor and voice compliance by ensuring that their neighbourhoods’ are
kept clean and any illegal dumping of waste within their areas of residence is reported. The
implementation of this policy will thus require citizen support through embracing circular
economy and holistic waste management approaches
1.5. National Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Waste Management in Kenya
The Constitution of Kenya (CoK) article 42 states that every Kenyan citizen has a right to
a clean and healthy environment that includes the right to have the environment sustainably
protected through legislations and other measures. It also devolved solid waste
management to the 47 county governments. This is implemented through various policy
and regulatory frameworks as follows:
Environmental Management and Coordination Act Cap 387 and the EMCA Waste
Management regulations (2006) provides a general framework for waste management in
Kenya and provides a guide for licensing, transportation and disposal of waste. The
generator of waste, transporter, recyclers and institutions that own disposal facilities have
obligations to ensure the activities do not deprive citizens the above constitutional right.
The Waste Management Regulations- 2006 provide a framework for managing the
environment including waste management and classifies waste as hazardous and non-
hazardous waste, with a focus on transportation, disposal licensing and burying of waste
12
National Environment Policy 2013 acknowledges that unsustainable consumption and
production patterns leads to excessive waste generation and calls for development of
integrated national waste management strategy, promotion of economic incentives to
manage waste and promotion of clean production, waste recovery, recycling and reuse.
The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) Waste Management
Strategy (2015) aims to create a 7R oriented society in Reducing, Rethinking, Refusing,
Recycling, Reusing, repairing, refilling. Focus areas being waste collection, transportation,
and disposal and licensing. The order prescribed by strategy of the 7R is not in any
environmental waste management priority. The strategy also focused attention on the 5
urban centers proposed by Vision 2030.
Gazette Notice number 2356 of February 2017 totally banned ban on the manufacture,
sale, export and importation of plastic carrier bags in Kenya. The ban of the polythene
carrier bags effected in August 2017 contributed a positive impact towards minimizing
waste generation in Kenya.
Kenya Nationally Determined Contribution waste is considered a key mitigation sector for
the reduction of green gas house emissions. Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action
(NAMA 2016) proposal for a Circular Economy Solid Waste Management Approach for
Urban Areas in Kenya was developed by the MENR in 2016. The NAMA concept include
waste sorting, creation of recycling points, recycling of 600 tons of waste per day and
composting facilities for organic waste treatment.
The National Climate Change Action Plan 2018–2022 proposes to reduce GHG emissions’
through adoption of circular approaches to waste management and engineered landfills.
Additional instruments’ include Kenya vision 2030, Draft chemical regulations, 2019, Pest
Control Products Act, Cap 346 Asbestos guidelines, Air quality regulations 2014, E-waste
guidelines (2014)
The following regulations are currently under development or approval:
o E-waste management regulations.
o Asbestos handling and disposal guidelines.
o Regulations on used oil, waste tires and plastic wastes
o End of life tires regulation.
Counted number of counties have enacted waste management laws, a few have developed
draft solid waste management bills or validated solid waste management strategy while
most of them are yet to start the processes of developing appropriate policies and laws to
guide waste management in their counties.
The Sustainable Waste Management policy therefore provides a holistic framework for
sustainable management of waste in Kenya and the transition from linear models of
collection, transportation and disposal of waste to the adoption and effective
implementation of the waste hierarchy and circular economy that gives preference to
avoidance of waste, waste minimization, recycling, reusing and controlled disposal to
landfills while having less priority to incineration for human health and environmental
protection.
1.6. Kenya’s Regional and Global Commitments to Waste Related Agreements
Disposal of waste can also influence local and international trade. In this regard Kenya is also a
party/ signatory to the following international agreements where waste policy is critical.
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Implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and participation in the global debate
on waste gives Kenya valuable insights on what Kenya needs to do in order to its improve waste
management approaches.
Table1. International Conventions and Multilateral Waste Management Related
Agreements Ratified by Kenya
Multilateral
Environmental
Agreement
Ratification
Date
Provisions
Montreal Protocol on
substances that
deplete the ozone
layer
Ratified on
09/11/1988
A global agreement to protect the ozone layer by
phasing out production and consumption of ozone
depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons
and halons using innovative and flexible approaches.
UN Framework
Convention on
Climate Change
Ratified on
30/08/1994
Calls upon parties to protect the climate system for
the present and future generations by taking
precautionary measures to anticipate, prevent,
minimise the causes of climate change and mitigate
its adverse effects.
Kenya committed to reduce its Green Gas House
emissions by 30% compared to a business as usual
scenario of 143 MtCo2 emissions.
Basel Convention on
the Trans-boundary
Movement of
Hazardous Waste
and their Disposal
Ratified on
01/06/2000
It obligates parties to reduce trans boundary
movement of waste, minimise toxicity of hazardous
waste and ensure waste disposal and recovery is as
close as possible to the source of generation.
Stockholm
Convention on
Persistent organic
pollutant
Ratified on
24/09/2004
Requires all parties to take measures and reduce the
release of persistent organic pollutants that can lead
to serious, health defects including certain cancers
birth defects, dysfunctional immune system and
reproductive system and damage to central nervous
system.
Minamata
Convention on
Mercury
Signed on
10/10/2013
Is a global treaty to protect human health and
environment from adverse effect of mercury. It
includes the ban on mercury mines and phase out of
use of mercury in a number of products.
Amendment to the
Basel Convention to
include Plastics
Amended on
13/04/2019
This was amended and obligates parties to reduce
trans-boundary movement of plastic waste,
minimise pollution of plastic waste and manage
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plastic waste as close as possible to its source of
generation.
Bamako Convention
1998
Bans the import to Africa and controls trans
boundary movement and management of hazardous
waste within Africa.
Kenya is party to the “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
Sustainable Development Goal 11 strives to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient and sustainable”. Target 11.6 requires member states to “by 2030, reduce the adverse per
capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and
municipal and other waste management”. Goal 12 sets out how to “Ensure sustainable
consumption and production patterns”. Target 12.3, requires member states to “by 2030, halve per
capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production
and supply chains, including post-harvest losses”. Target 12.4 aims to “by 2020, achieve the
environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in
accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air,
water and soil in order to minimise their adverse impacts on human health and the environment”.
Target 12.5, requires member states to “by 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through
prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse”.
The forth United Nations General Assembly ( UNEA4 of 2019) resolution UNEP/EA/4/L.8 on
environmentally sound management of waste called upon member states to promote integrated
approaches to solid waste management through sustainable consumption and production not
limited to circular economy, but also economic models, innovation, reduction of waste at source
of origin, minimisation of packaging materials, discouragement of planned obsolescence of
products, removal of hazardous substance from waste before recycling as well as give special
attention to recycling, re-use and reduction of landfilling as well as give application of waste
hierarchy for all waste. Kenya is a member of the United Nations and houses United Nations
Environment and thus resolved to adopt the resolution.
1.7. Overview of Challenges of Waste Management in Kenya
The following barriers have prevented Kenya from consistently implementing a sound
management and disposal of solid waste:
1.7.1 Regulatory and Policy Barriers.
Although a significant body of legislations on solid waste is in place, it is evident that an enormous
gap exists between the laws and their implementation.
●Collection and transportation of waste is carried out in an informal way.
●In many cases, waste is not collected and remains near the residential areas where it is produced
and burnt for volume reduction.
15
●Lack of reliable waste manifest system to keep track waste generation, collection, transportation
and disposal.
1.7.2. Social- Economic Barriers:
●Change perception of waste, “nothing is waste, until it is wasted”
●Introduction of a waste hierarchy economy aimed at recycling valuable resources from waste is
still missing.
●Development the economic model for waste recycling not centred on the dumpsite itself:
●Appreciating the role of informal communities who are self-organized for collecting waste and
buyers who go directly to the dumpsite to buy waste.
●Consider the low quality of waste segregated and resold at the dumpsite which has the
detrimental effect to depress the market for recycled materials, therefore perpetuating the poverty
of people relying on the dumpsite waste.
●Support to communities who resist any modification on the municipal waste management
because of poor performance of previous attempts and because they perceive that modifications
may hinder their only source of income.
●The access to the national market for recycled material is not well organized.
●It is very common to see buyers buying recycled waste at the dumpsite, with the double effect to
impoverish the communities because of the low price offered, and to spoil the country of valuable
resources which if better used could contribute to the creation of jobs and business opportunities.
1.7.3 Financial and infrastructural barriers
Inadequate budgetary allocation and funding of waste management sector and
infrastructure
Challenge in sustainability/maintenance/upgrade and waste infrastructure
Inadequate waste collection receptacles, transfer stations, waste treatment
Lack of materials recovery facilities and engineered landfills.
1.7.4 Technology and knowledge barriers
Inefficient/lack of appropriate technology
Knowledge gap of waste hierarchy and circular model concepts in for the sector
1.8. Gaps to be addressed
The common way for managing waste in Kenya is open dumping and open burning of industrial
and health care waste without any substantial environmental control from the equipment and
facilities of disposal. The Policy intends to address the following gaps:
• Shift from waste to materials extraction of total value of waste
16
• Segregation at source, proper collection, waste sorting at materials recovery facilities,
recycling and composting, waste treatment and disposal of all waste material to avoid
environmental contamination;
• Inculcating timely inventories on quantities and types of waste generated;
• Restriction of importation or dumping of hazardous waste material into the country as per
the Basel and Bamako conventions;
• Information dissemination, documentation and knowledge management on waste matters;
• Monitoring of establishments dealing with waste and enforcement of the legal framework
relating to waste management;
• Minimisation of toxic emissions as guided by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants
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CHAPTER TWO: GOAL, OBJECTIVES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
2.1. Goal
The goal of this framework policy is to protect public health and the environment, as well as to
create wealth and prosperity in the country by providing an enabling environment for integrated
waste management and minimization of waste generation, to contribute to a circular economy.
2.2. Objectives
The objectives of this Policy are to:
(i) Promote sustainable waste management through implementation of the waste hierarchy
and circular economy concepts.
(ii) Enhance mapping, planning, segregation, collection, transportation and audit of waste.
(iii)Strengthen the institutional framework that enables and enforces integrated planning,
budgeting, decision-making and implementation, at both the national and county level.
(iv) Set up transparently managed financial mechanisms at national and county level to invest
in waste management infrastructure.
(v) Engage, strengthen and build partnerships with all stakeholders, including private and
informal sector, as well as the general public, including education for responsible waste
management behaviour.
2.3. Guiding Principles
The implementation of this Policy will be guided by the following principles:
(i) Right to a clean and healthy environment: under the Constitution, 2010 every person in
Kenya has a right to a clean and healthy environment and a duty to safeguard and enhance
the environment.
(ii) Right to sustainable development: the right to development will be respected taking into
account economic, social and environmental needs. Kenya seeks to achieve people-centred
development that builds human capabilities, improves people’s wellbeing and enhances
quality of life.
(iii)Principle of Environmental Protection: there is need to balance socio-economic
development and environmental protection. In undertaking waste management, all entities
and individual shall provide high level of human, health and environmental protection.
(iv) Principle of Proximity: to minimise environmental impact and transport costs, in
accordance to the principle of proximity, waste shall be processed, treated and disposed as
much as possible to the location of its generation.
(v) Precautionary Principle: the principle that precautionary measures should be taken even
if some cause and effect relationship are not fully established scientifically when an
activity or product raises threats of harm to human health or the environment.
18
(vi) Polluter pays principle: the principle that those who produce pollution or waste should
bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.
Makes the party responsible for polluting responsible for paying damage done.
(vii) Zero Waste principle: the principle that society should aim for zero waste,
designing and managing products and processes that reduce and eventually eliminate the
volume and toxicity of waste, to conserve and recover waste resources rather than to burn
or bury them. The Waste hierarchy establishes preferred program priorities based on zero
waste principle and sustainability. The standard outline of the hierarchy ranks 6 approaches
to waste management. In order (most preferable to least preferable) these are: prevention,
minimisation, reuse, recycle (including composting), energy recovery and disposal.
(viii) Extended producer responsibility: the principle that producers should be given
significant responsibility financial and/or physical for the treatment or disposal of the waste
from the products they create. Beyond easing government budgets for waste management,
such responsibility in principle incentivizes companies to prevent wastes at the source,
promoting more environmentally friendly product design and supporting the achievement
of public recycling and materials management goals.
(ix) System of deposit; When buying certain products, the buyer shall pay a certain added
value to the price of the product, which shall be returned to him/her upon restitution of the
used products and the packaging to the seller, provided that there is a possibility for the
used products and the packaging to be processed, for which they need to be labelled in a
manner established by law and another regulation.
(x) Partnership: building partnerships, collaboration and synergies among various
stakeholders from the public, government, non-governmental organisations, civil society
and private sector, as well as vulnerable communities and populations including women
and youth, will be prioritized to achieve effective implementation of this Policy. The
private sector will be encouraged to develop capacities for investment, construction and
service delivery in recycling and waste management.
(xi) Devolution and Cooperative government: embracing a system of consultation,
negotiation and consensus building in implementation of sustainable waste management
between and within the national and county governments.
(xii) Equity and social inclusion: ensuring a fair and equitable allocation of effort and
cost, as well as ploughing back of benefit’s in the context of the need to address
disproportionate vulnerabilities, responsibilities, capabilities, disparities, and inter– and
intra-generational equity. The communities that benefit from sustainable waste
19
management shall be actively involved in planning, decision-making and oversight of
waste management activities. Capacity development, finance, training and labour
standards shall be availed to formalize the full integration of waste pickers in the
sustainable management of waste, including management systems.
(xiii) Integrity and transparency: the mobilisation and utilisation of financial resources
shall be undertaken with integrity and transparency in order to eliminate corruption and
achieve optimal results and ensuring that communities are given all relevant information
in a timely fashion.
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CHAPTER THREE: POLICY INTERVENTIONS
The Waste management hierarchy provides an order of environmental priority actions for proper
waste management. It stipulates an integrated approach to waste management by establishing an
order for reduction and management of waste., Extraction of total value from resources and
generation of minimum waste (the little waste to be disposed and disposal should be regulated)
.Proper application of the waste hierarchy helps in reduction of waste, conservation of energy and
resources, development of green technologies and market practices, prevention emission of green
gas houses and boost green economy and create new jobs in green entrepreneurship and resource
management industry. The policy interventions highlight the application of the waste hierarchy
and circular economy model for managing waste in Kenya as well the enabling framework to
support its implementation and realisation of a zero waste economy. This is illustrated in the
diagram below.
3.1. Objective 1: Promote waste management through implementation of the waste
hierarchy and circular economy concepts
Increasing population and urbanization in Kenya, has led to increasing challenges of collection,
re-use, recycling, treatment and disposal of the ever increasing quantities of solid waste. It is
estimated that more than 22,000 tons/ day of garbage is currently generated and only 10% is
recycled. Private Companies that deal with waste recycling have indicated that, since most of the
21
collected waste from household waste is not sorted and comprises of 60 per cent of organic waste,
there is high contamination of garbage rendering recycling difficult and expensive.
3.1.1 Adoption of Waste Hierarchy
Sustainable and environmentally sound waste management is based on waste management
hierarchy that prioritises waste prevention and reduction, re-use, recycling and composting, waste
treatment and disposal to a regulated landfill with energy recovery as the last least environmental
friendly option. This policy sets priority order for managing waste as a resource that should be
harnessed in Kenya according to the waste management hierarchy by adopting the following
policy measures.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall
(i) Develop a national waste management law that prioritises and enforces the waste hierarchy
across the country.
(ii) Develop 5 year national zero waste management plan assessing status of waste have
management and long term approached for national waste prevention programmes and
approaches, future trends prediction and measures to ensure achievement of zero waste
status.
(iii) Support county governments to establish waste management infrastructure for source
segregation, standards and design for materials recovery facilities’ and engineered
landfills.
(iv) Review and align regulations for E-waste, medical waste, chemicals, pesticides’ and
radioactive waste in accordance to this policy.
County Government shall:
(v) Align place county waste management laws and strategies to the waste management
hierarchy.
(vi) Set aside sufficient land for waste management activities, and generate jobs and livelihoods
from waste collection, recycling, and waste management activities according to the waste
hierarchy.
(vii) Establish and improve waste management infrastructure to promote source segregation,
collection, reuse, set up materials recovery facilities and controlled disposal in engineered
landfills.
3.1.2 Policy Measures for Prevention and Reduction
Waste prevention are measures adopted to create less waste by reducing waste at source of origin
and minimising waste ending up to the landfill much as possible through integrating waste
reduction in production processes, use of eco-friendly inputs and packaging, better design of to
enhance durability, reusability and recyclability and use of , enhance segregation at source,
reduction of superfluous packaging, efficient resource use adoption of green procurement and
22
extension of product lifecycle. The following policy measures are proposed for national
government and county government in order to reduce generation of waste:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government
1. The Ministry responsible for environmental affairs shall develop a 5 year rolling national
zero waste strategy that prioritises waste prevention, education and awareness programme.
2. Ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with the National Treasury
and government procurement agencies shall develop framework for adoption of green
procurement in public sector procurement by prioritising purchasing of b locally produced
goods and recycled products to boost green jobs and reduce negative impact of
transportation.
3. National government shall develop economic instruments frameworks that promote
waste prevention at industrial production.
4. The ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with ministry
responsible for industrialisation and standards authority shall develop regulations that
(i) Require all producers to use eco-friendly raw materials that generate less waste,
use cleaner production technologies and manufacture eco-friendly products,
packages and eco- labels that promote circularity.
(ii) Require all producers, manufacturers, processors and importers to declare lifecycle
environmental impact of their products and packaging in accordance to set
international standards.
(iii) Sustainable packaging regulations to reduce waste from packaging materials and
labelling guidelines requiring all producers, manufactures and importers to inform
sellers and the consumer of the characteristics of their product and packaging re-
use, re-turn, recyclability and measures to be taken with regard to waste
management at the end of the lifecycle.
County Government shall:
(i) Prioritise waste prevention and minimisation in conformance to the waste hierarchy when
developing waste management plans and legislation.
3.1.3. Policy Measures for Re-use
Re-use of products entails using again components or the product for the same purpose they were
conceived and includes cleaning and repair of discarded items to facilitate re-use.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:
1. Develop a national re-use framework for unutilised or excess goods between government
institutions in consultation with public procurement authority and Kenya Bureau of
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Standards to ensure that public sector organisations prioritise realistic re-use options over
purchase of new products.
2. Develop regulations and standards for locations for central collection system for materials
extracted from waste that can be re-used and ensure that storage does not endanger human
life, health or the environment.
County Government shall
1. Provide well managed central collection centres for materials that can be harvested
from waste that can be reused.
3.1.4. Policy Measures for Re-Cycling
Recycling entails recovery of materials from waste for reprocessing and production of secondary
raw materials. Recycling also entails preference to secondary raw materials in replacement
where feasible of primary virgin material. To promote circular economy and lock valuable
resources in the economy, the policy aims at maximising materials available for recycling through
the following measures:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:
1. Develop a 10 year national strategy for circular economy in Kenya reviewed every 5
years.
2. Review all laws and regulations and reclassify waste as “unsegregated waste” and
“recovered materials/ recyclable materials to give legal recognition of “recyclates”
extracted from waste in accordance to the recovered resource concept.
3. Review laws and regulations that categorise all materials extracted in accordance to
recovered resource concept and reclassify waste as “unsegregated waste” and segregated
recyclable items as “recyclates or recyclable materials”
4. Enhance transparency and accountability, national government shall review and align
licencing regime of waste management service providers and recycling facilities with a
view of proper categorisation and licensing of water service providers, materials recovery
and recycling facilities and landfill with an view of harmonising , fees and charges
according to the level at the value chain, ease the burden of compliance and consolidation
of the regime into a one stop shop/centralised and coordinated unit.
5. Develop regulations on handling end of life vehicles, machinery and equipment.
6. Stimulate development of a market for recycled materials in partnership with authority
responsible for standards shall develop and promulgate product standards for recycled
materials and organic compost.
7. Develop and promulgate quality standards for recycled materials and secondary raw
materials that will be developed in partnership with the authority responsible for standards.
8. Create a regulatory environment that promotes a functional market for waste and recycled
materials without compromising quality standards, public health and environment.
9. Put in place measures and economic instruments to reduce need for virgin materials in
favour of local recyclable materials in production process.
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10. Spur development and competitiveness of the recycling and materials recovery sector by
initiating a mechanism for exempting recycling business from presumptive tax, turnover
tax and recycled materials from VAT.
11. The ministry responsible for environment affairs shall institute regulations to require
commercial properties such as hotels, office buildings, hospitals to ensure that at least 50%
of their produced waste is recycled through a licensed service provider.
12. Develop co-processing guidelines that encourage the use of waste as raw material, to
replace natural minerals and fossil fuels in industrial processes, mainly in Energy Intensive
Industries (EII).
County Government shall:
1. Develop a 10 year county strategy for circular economy in Kenya reviewed every 5 years.
2. Create a County regulatory environment that promotes a functional market for waste and
recycled materials without compromising quality standards, public health and
environment.
3. Spur development and competitiveness of the recycling and materials recovery sector by
initiating a market and mechanism within the county procurement system to prioritise
recycled materials.
4. Institute county regulations to require county institutions to ensure that at least 50% of
their produced waste is recycled through a licensed service provider
3.1.5. Policy Measures for Composting/ Biological Processing of waste
A major waste stream is biodegradable material consisting of organic and kitchen waste, waste
generated in agriculture through poor post-harvest management, market places unsold produce,
fresh and rotten vegetable waste, expired grain produce and farm level agricultural waste which is
biodegradable under controlled aerobic conditions. Environmental effects of unmanaged bio waste
is green gas emissions and leachate production. Once segregated at source, composting is an
effective method for recycling organic waste. Embracing use of compost from organic (agriculture
and food based) and other suitable wastes will contribute the reduction in GHG. This will recycle
the nutrients outside of landfills. Not all bio-waste though can be used to produce compost due to
contaminants. The following policy measures are proposed:
Policy Statement
National Government shall:
1. Provide technical support to county governments and private sector to manage food and
organic wastes collection with appropriate treatment options depending on the local
conditions.
2. The ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with the ministry
responsible for agriculture and Standards agency shall develop guidelines and standards
and review relevant legislation to mainstream and recognise compost and organic fertiliser.
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3. Support market development of compost as an alternative or complimentary for synthetic
fertilizer by mainstreaming 40 % quota system for organic fertilizer in the national and
county fertilizer subsidy program.
4. Develop a public information and awareness campaign to disseminate the benefits of
composting as technology in waste management.
Concurrent
1. The national and county government shall carry out feasibility study to identify potential
sites for setting up composting plants and financial requirements of setting up composting
technology in the country.
County Government shall:
1. Identify and prioritise potential sites for setting up composting plants and financial
requirements of setting up composting technology in the county.
2. Establish clear procedures for providing incentives to encourage private sector
participation in composting ventures.
3.1.6. Policy Measures for Waste Treatment before Disposal
Waste treatment refers to physical, mechanical biological, thermal processing of waste with by
removal of toxic elements which if emitted would have severe environmental impacts before
disposal. The following policy measures shall apply to waste treatment.
Proposed Policy Statements
Waste Management Entities
All legal entities performing waste storage, treatment and processing of waste shall obtain an
environmental license from NEMA for performing such activity.
National Government
1. Minister responsible for environmental affairs shall develop regulations:
(i) That ensure that all residual waste is pre-treated to remove key recyclables material
and provide second opportunity to capture recyclates missed at source segregation
stage
(ii) That waste that cannot be re-used, or reprocessed or recycled be subjected to
physical, chemical, thermal or biological treatment in order to reduce toxicity,
volume and negative impact to human life, health and environment before final
disposal.
(iii) Review and align regulations for treatment before disposal of medical waste,
chemical packaging, pesticides, e-waste and radioactive waste.
2. The Minister responsible for environmental affairs shall prescribe the form and contents
of license application for waste treatment, storage, the minimum technical conditions,
organisational capacities and environmental standards for waste treatment activities and
facilities.
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3. Put in place a framework for enhancing access to both local and internationally best
practices, technological advancements, and technical process development for waste
treatment.
4. Develop health and safety standards for all waste treatment facilities in consultation with
ministry responsible for occupational standards.
5. In consultation with ministry responsible for technical education and the ministry in charge
of environmental affairs shall develop standard competency based training curricula for
waste treatment operators.
County Governments shall:
1. Domesticate waste treatment before disposal in County legislation.
Waste management facilities
1. The recyclers, bio-waste processors and material recovery facilities shall obtain environmental
compliance licences from NEMA.
3.1.7. Policy Measures for Transiting from Dumpsites to Landfills
Waste disposal is the final solution of discarding waste that cannot be used or reprocessed at the
least harm to human life, health or environment. Common disposal methods consists of landfilling
and incineration. Kenya will progressively phase out open dumpsites. Engineered landfilling will
be the last option of the waste hierarchy and should be minimized.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government Shall:
1. Develop guidelines for closure and decommissioning of existing dumpsites.
2. Ban all open burning of all waste at both household, commercial and institutional level.
3. Prohibit disposal of hazardous waste including, e-waste and asbestos in dumpsites and
landfills.
4. Ban disposal of unsorted waste to dumpsites and landfills and shall adopt Materials
Recovery Approach.
5. Ban disposal of electronic waste, recyclables and biodegradable waste in existing
dumpsites.
County Governments’ shall:
1. Develop a 3 year plan to transit from the current dumpsites and adopt landfilling for
residual waste.
2. Develop regulations and levying structure to promote the closure of open dumpsites and
establish engineered landfills for disposal of non-recoverable fractions of wastes only.
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3.1.8. Policy Measures for Landfilling-(Disposal)
A landfill is a controlled and regulated disposal site for unrecyclable waste with basic operations
and site management that has a controlled access, recording facilities for incoming waste control
and prevents the release of pollutants to soil, water and air. Landfills are used for wastes that have
no residual value. The disadvantages of landfill disposal is that they require large areas of land ,
heavy investments, energy intense , produce a lot of heat, can contaminate soil and water, and
emits climate-relevant methane, carbon dioxide and odors. In order to minimize the environmental
damage, modern landfills are equipped with a waterproof ground layer and the means to capture
leachate and monitor its quality. Alternatively, once the landfill is full, the waste can be
compressed and covered to capture the gas. This method is called landfill gas extraction and it
actually promotes the production of methane. The gas can either be flared on the spot, used to
generate heat and electricity (waste-to-energy), or processed to natural gas-like fuels.
Landfills should only be used for residual waste (waste with no commercial value left out after
segregation process in a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). The aim of this policy is to ensure
that only those materials that cannot be recycled are landfilled and shall apply the following
measures
Proposed Policy statements
National Government shall:
1. Develop classification, licensing requirements, standards and engineering and design of
landfill site design, planning, operations and monitoring systems, landfill waste audit for
non-hazardous, construction and hazardous landfills.
2. All landfills operations shall be automated and shall be managed by a waste manager with
requisite academic and technical competences as prescribed by the Cabinet Secretary in
charge of environmental affairs.
3. Develop landfilling regulations requiring that the activity of landfilling be performed by a
public entity or a licensed materials’ recovery facility on the basis of a license or contract
for performing works of a public interest or contract of concession.
4. Develop a public private partnership and concession framework for establishment and
operation of landfills by private operators.
5. Institute landfill tax to divert waste from landfills and dumpsites.
6. Ban landfilling of all biodegradables or recyclates.
7. Develop regulations on special conditions for disposing waste that cannot be re-used,
reprocessed or used as a source of energy including disposal of e-waste, asbestos, radio-
active and hazardous waste requiring special permit, special handling and disposal.
8. Prohibit landfilling and incineration of electronic wastes, infectious waste and radio-active
wastes which should be accorded separate handling management and disposal.
9. Waste disposal shall be undertaken with the best available technologies, equipment and
knowledge.
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10. Landfills operators shall engage full-time managers and install requisite weighing and
recording facilities at engineered landfills to prevent illegal dumping and facilitate accurate
report of waste volumes.
Concurrent
1. The national and county governments in consultation with the Ministry responsible for
lands and urban planning shall designate landfills according to the national and county
waste management plan while taking consideration of impacts on natural resources, land
use patterns’, sensitive ecosystems and cultural resources.
County Government shall:
1. Ensure that landfills are only used for residual waste that has no commercial value left
out after segregation process at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
2. Establish an engineered landfill in its county boundaries unless an inter-county or county
economic bloc agreement is in place for common disposal of waste in a jointly managed
engineered landfill.
3.1.9. Policy Measures for Incineration (Waste to Energy)
This is the thermal treatment of waste to convert it to energy, heat ash, and flue gas and shall be
the last preferred option as per the waste hierarchy for waste management in Kenya.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:
1. Develop incineration guidelines and regulations to ensure that all waste-to-energy programs
conform to the waste hierarchy and set of international conventions that Kenya is party to.
2. Develop guidelines and regulations for proper waste incineration activities for non-recyclable
waste and medical waste.
3. Review and align all existing incineration regulations and align with maximum extraction of
value form waste before disposal while ensuring that incineration is the option of last resort
and applicable only after all the higher level waste hierarchy priorities have been exhausted.
3.2. Objective 2: Enhance Mapping, Planning, Segregation, Collection, Transportation
and Service Provision of Waste Management.
With its increasing economic prosperity, increasing population and subsequent urbanization,
Kenyan county governments are challenged by collecting, segregation, treatment and auditing of
the ever increasing quantities of solid waste. There is need to organize waste collection,
segregation and transportation services so as to regularly gather and organize already existing data
while generating additional knowledge and information to inform planning and decision-making
for integrated waste management going forward.
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3.2.1 Policy Measures for Waste Mapping
The country’s ability to respond effectively to the waste challenge requires enhanced data
collection on waste generation, current waste disposal practices, waste minimization, reuse and
recycling opportunities, as well as the impacts of the current poor state of waste management on
public health and the environment.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Map current waste streams composition and value chain in Kenya and establish national
baselines.
2. Institute a national data collection system on all waste types, volumes generated and how
they are handled, to ensure that all policy and regulatory decisions at the national level are
informed by and based on credible data.
3. Develop a national reporting system for monitoring and enforcement, and maintain a
regularly updated waste management database of private entities engaged in waste
management services.
4. Incorporate waste management indicators into the National Integrated Monitoring and
Evaluation System
5. Map the waste value chain with a view of proper categorization and regulation of players
in the sector including waste handlers, waste treatment and processing and waste disposal.
County Government shall:-
1 Set up data collection system of the county waste streams, volumes generated and how
they are handled, registered service providers to ensure that all policy and regulatory decisions at
the county level are informed by and based on credible data.
2. Shall incorporate waste management indicators into the County Integrated Monitoring and
Evaluation System.
3.2.2 Measures for Waste Segregation
Waste segregation includes all measures to ensure quality of materials extracted from
waste and reprocessed is maintained for the realization of maximum value of resources
and environmental protection from waste. The following policy measures shall apply to
waste segregation:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Develop regulations that require all Institutions, businesses, commercial trading, Industrial,
residential and property developers to provide source segregation receptacles at their premises.
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2. Ministry responsible for environmental affairs in collaboration with ministry responsible for
housing and construction shall design standard waste segregation receptacles’ to be
mainstreamed in building designs.
3. Develop food waste regulations to require separate collection, transport and processing into
useful products thus diverting organic waste from landfilling by all institutions, commercial,
industrial and households waste generators.
4. Develop harmonised regulations and guidelines for the minimum waste fractions for sorting
at source at household, business, industrial and institutional levels.
5. Develop regulations requiring all hazardous and radioactive waste including electrical and
electronic equipment waste to be sent to a licensed recycling and recovery facility locally and
abroad for disposal.
6. Carry out national public awareness on waste segregation categories, colour codes and national
campaign on importance of sorting at source.
Concurrent
1. National government shall streamline and harmonise national and county government
regulations on licensing of sorting sites to avoid double licensing and make waste
management more attractive to investors.
County Government shall:-
1. Enforce waste fractions segregation at source based on the national gazetted minimum
waste fractions for all waste generators including household level.
2. Ensure waste service providers provide separate waste segregation containers to enable
sorting at source of organic waste, recyclable and non-recyclables and educate the waste
generators on the prescribed sorting categories and methods.
3. Carry out county public awareness on waste colour codes and importance of proper
sorting in all public labelled bins for easier sorting.
3.2.3. Policy Measures for Collection
Waste collection is the transfer of recyclable materials and waste from point of generation.
Waste collection should be managed in line with the waste hierarchy supportive of
extraction of maximum value principle of waste segregation and resource efficiency.
System of deposit return of products or containers allows for special upfront surcharge or
deposit by manufactures which is then refunded to the consumer when he or she returns
the containers or products for recycling or proper disposal. Historically, deposit systems
are used for glass, aluminium, plastic, drinking bottles and cans. Deposit- return systems
enhance collection of materials and packages and reduces contamination by incentivising
the consumer as well as enhancing recirculation back to the back to economy loop. The
following policy measures shall apply to waste collection:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
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1. Develop regulations and guidelines for nationwide collection and transportation
schedules in respect to waste fractions segregated at source.
2. Develop regulations on management of construction waste.
3. Develop extended producer responsibility regulations that require all producers,
importers, and distributors and traders to be members of a mandatory or registered
extended producer responsibility scheme.
4. The Ministry responsible for environmental shall develop regulations for deposit
return system and requirements for system operations, coordinator, administrators
and operators.
5. The ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with the
standards and labels agency shall provide regulations and standards for refund
marking of products and containers under the deposit return system.
6. The ministry responsible for environment affairs in consultation with ministry
responsible for trade and industry, and the ministry responsible for finance shall
specify materials and packaging subject to be managed under compulsory deposit
return system.
7. National Government in consultation with the authority responsible for labels and
standards shall develop regulations that all bottle containers and cans to have
ISSBN number or re-use/recycling mark that can be recognized by the reverse
vending machines to facilitate identification and implementation of deposit
system for bottle containers
8. Develop and formalize trade-in, take-back schemes, and innovative approaches for
collection of specific reusable products, packaging and other recyclable materials.
9. Develop economic incentive including tax measures to incentivise reverse vending
machines, balers and compactors to facilitate easy collection of voluminous waste
materials.
10. Ensure that all producers label the products or containers with a refund marking in
a manner established by law.
11. Ensure that all public event organisers submit waste management plan of the waste
generated or engage a licensed waste provider to manage waste generated during
the event.
12. The construction site manager shall be responsible for transportation of
construction waste to the materials recovery facility.
13. Individual citizens shall be responsible for transportation of bulky and abnormal
waste they generate to the community collection centre or materials recovery
facility.
County Government shall:-
1. Establish “ community and public collection centres“ guided by the principle of
proximity, where the public can discard a variety of recyclable household waste
such as paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, & metal including electronic products and
hazardous waste.
2. Ensure all citizens have access to waste collection services and receptacles
3. Prescribe the design, the size, construction and maintenance of public waste
receptacles for purpose of access and emptying.
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4. Authorise placing of waste receptacles on county roads and markets.
5. The property owners, landlords and caretakers be held responsible for waste
dumped infront and around their facilities.
6. Ensure Resident Associations shall cooperate with County Government to
eliminate waste dumping within their jurisdiction.
3.2.4 Policy Measures for Waste Transportation
Waste should be transported in an environmentally sound manner without causing pollution or
bad odour or further littering. A waste manifest system enables tracking of transportation of waste
both hazardous and non-hazardous till it reaches its disposal destination.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall-:
1. In consultation with authority responsible for transport design segregated waste
transportation designs for trucks and waste transportation vehicles and handcarts
including compartments for waste transportation vehicles, single colour for all
waste transportation trucks, standard labelling to identify waste service providers.
2. Require compulsory installation of GPS tracking device in waste collection trucks
to monitor movement of waste.
3. Develop guidelines requiring all legal entities or individuals handling industrial or
non-hazardous waste to provide identification and waste manifest.
4. Review and align all existing waste and recovered materials transport regulations
to this policy
Concurrent
1. The national and county governments shall review and harmonise waste
transportation charges.
2. National and county government in consultation with ministry responsible for
urban planning shall develop designs, guidelines, and requisite operations for
transfer stations for non-hazardous waste intended for storage, processing and
transfer to designated Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
County Government shall:-
1. Ensure that waste service providers transport their waste to materials recovery
facility and to a landfill.
2. Ensure waste transportation trucks adhere to air quality regulations.
3. Develop guidelines requiring all legal entities or individuals transporting waste
within the county provide tracking documents of source and destination.
4. Ensure that transportation of recycled materials and waste should be conducted in
an environmentally sound manner.
3.2.5. Policy Measures for Waste Service Providers
Waste Service Providers include legal entities or registered individuals and community groups
licensed to collect , transport waste , run and operate materials recovery facilities , Recycle,
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treat and dispose waste to engineered landfills. The harmonisation of their services is very
crucial to ensure achievement of waste hierarchy goals and targets.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:
1. Establish a national integrated network of waste service providers, including collectors,
transporters, materials recovery facilities, waste treatment and disposal facilities for
coordinated delivery of waste management services in the country.
2. Develop guidelines, standards and regulations and licensing requirements to harmonize
waste management services and require that all waste service providers provide quality
services that protect human life, health and environment
3. Develop guidelines requiring all legal entities or individuals handling waste to provide
appropriate tracking documents.
4. Publish annually locations and managers contacts of established and licensed material
recovery facilities, recycling facilities, co-processing and energy recovery of waste.
County Government shall:-
1. Ensure that Waste collectors and transporters take their collected waste to materials
recovery facilities and not directly to dumpsites.
2. Publish annually a list of licensed organizations offering waste collection and
transportation services.
3. Supervise and regulate waste management service providers operating in their
jurisdiction to ensure they deliver effective waste management services to the materials
recovery facilities in accordance to the waste hierarchy priority.
3.2.6 Waste Service Providers Collectors and Transporters
The following policy measures shall apply to waste collectors and transporters:
1. Licensed waste management service providers shall be responsible for collection and
transportation of waste from locations specified in their contracts and transport them to
materials recovery facilities or licensed recycling facilities only.
2. Waste collectors and transporters shall adhere to nationally determined collection and
transportation schedules of sorted materials and waste streams.
3. Waste collectors and transporters shall submit a 3 year waste management plan aligned to
the waste hierarchy priorities for the area of coverage as part of the licensing requirements
with a direct linkage to Materials Recovery facilities for further sorting and processing of
waste collected.
4. Waste Service collectors shall put in place customer charters setting out charging fees,
collection schedules, and collection of extra waste or removal of bulky waste as well as
provide protective equipment and proper identification of their employees/waste handlers.
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5. Waste service collectors and transporters shall provide health safety information to all staff
and visitors regarding waste handling and ensure their staff possess the requisite technical
and knowledge on waste management.
3.2.7 Policy Measures for Material Recovery facilities (MRFs)
A materials recovery facility (MRF) is a specialized plant that receives, separates and
prepares recyclable materials for marketing and subsequent use in terms recycling of the
dry materials and composting of the organic materials and processing of secondary raw
materials. MRFs form an integral part of a circular economy value chain as waste materials
need to be sorted first before they can be recycled.
To promote circular economy and locking valuable resources in the economy, the policy
aims that all waste collected by waste collectors should first go to MRFs and only the
sorted residual materials should then go to a waste-to-energy or landfill facility.
Proposed policy statements
National Government shall:-
1. Set higher gate fees for waste-to-energy and landfill facility than those of MRFs to
ensure that materials are moved to MRFs.
2. Ensure the Material Recovery facilities be licensed in accordance with guidelines
and regulations developed by the National Environmental Management Authority
(NEMA).
3. Ensure MRFs be the only facilities allowed to take waste to engineered landfills.
4. Promote the usage of MRFs, NEMA will issue bin liner licenses to MRFs who will
in turn only issue the bin liners to waste collectors and transporters using the
specific MRFs. (This will ensure that waste transporters use MRFS while also
ensuring that issued plastic waste bin liners will be recovered and sorted for
recycling).
Concurrent
The National and County Governments shall:-
1. Ban unsorted waste dumping and shall adopt Materials Recovery approach.
2. Redesign existing dumpsites into Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs) for sorting,
processing and recycling solid waste using manual and mechanical methods and be
compliant with appropriate safety, health and environmental standards.
3. Redesign existing dumpsites into Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs) for processing and
recycling solid waste using manual and mechanical methods and be compliant with
appropriate legislation.
4. Facilitate establishment of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in Industrial and special
economic zone or close to an engineered sanitary landfill to facilitate efficient movement
of waste from various generators and disposal of residual or biodegradable materials.
5. In consultation with ministry responsible for urban planning shall develop designs,
guidelines, and requisite operations for transfer stations for non-hazardous waste intended
for storage, processing and disposal as well as designate Material Recovery Facilities
(MRF) and develop safety, health, and environmental standards.
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County Government shall:-
1. Ensure that Waste collectors are licensed to take unsorted waste materials only to
MRFs instead of transporting them to dumpsites directly.
2. Consolidate an annual report of the MRFS and submit to the Ministry responsible for
environmental matters.
3. County government shall collect and transport residual waste from MRF to the
landfills.
Materials Recovery Facility Operators
1. Ensure all material recovery facilities submit a 3 year waste management plan with
clear linkages to waste collectors, recycler and landfills for the area of coverage as
part of the licensing requirements.
2. Ensure all materials recovery facilities automate their operations and record trucks
that enter facility (plate number, amount) technical and organizational capacities
and provide data quarterly to county governments of materials received, quantities
sorted and dispatched or disposed to a landfill.
3.3. Objective 3: Strengthen the institutional framework that enables and enforces
integrated planning, budgeting, decision-making and implementation, at both the
national and county level.
3.3.1. Policy Measures on Strengthening the Institutional Framework
Currently, there exists gaps in the coordination and enforcement of environmental legislation on
waste management in the country. The situation has been exacerbated by the lack of national
policy for the coordination of waste management. Further, laws related to waste management are
fragmented and outdated leading to disparities in regulation and enforcement by different
government institutions and counties.
The situation has resulted in the uncoordinated and uneven manner in which these institutions
implement the waste management functions. To address these gaps, this policy outlines the roles
and responsibilities of the government entities, devolved units and stakeholders as follows:
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Review and align current national waste management strategy to the waste management
hierarchy and circular model.
2. Establish an inclusive waste management council under the Environment Secretary that
shall develop, coordinate and oversight the implementation of the national waste
management plans, reporting and monitoring of set national targets and goals, strategies
and activities.
3. License materials recovery facilities, waste treatment facilities and landfills.
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4. Develop a 4 year transition framework for licensing of waste transporters from NEMA to
Counties as part of transition provision by this policy.
5. Involved in establishing on public legal redress on waste management matters.
Concurrent
1. Ensure that the waste management enforcement and inspection regime is robust and well
resourced.
County Government shall:-
1. Develop county waste management plans aligned to this policy.
2. Licence waste service providers including collector and transporters
3. Mainstream county waste management oversight in the county environment committee.
Citizens
1. Individuals and households shall contribute to the costs of providing the services used for
segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of the wastes they generate.
3.4 Objective 4: Set up transparently managed financial mechanisms on national and
county level to invest in waste management infrastructure.
Adequate and predictable financial resources are a crucial component for achieving Kenya’s
sustainable waste management objectives. Given the extent of the waste management challenge,
it is important to ensure that internal and external sources of finance are mobilized. Kenya
therefore requires a suitable framework to attract and efficiently utilise waste management finance.
Governments at all levels will be required to integrate sustainable waste management actions into
budgetary processes. Sufficient budgetary allocation for all institutions performing sustainable
waste management functions will be prioritised to ensure that the necessary human, technical and
financial resources are available.
3.4.1 Setting up financial mechanisms
Economic incentives are useful tools to encourage good solid waste management practices and
incentivize investment in waste management in addition the polluter pays principle to ensure that
waste management at County level is financially viable. The Ministry will, in collaboration with
lead agencies and County Governments, optimize the country’s opportunities to mobilize finance
for sustainable waste management, and ensure coordination across all national and county
government bodies.
Economic instruments that encourage or discourage particular behaviour or actions with respect
to sustainable waste management will be critical to augment other legal and regulatory
instruments.
The government recognizes the need to strengthen transparency and accountability and will take
necessary steps to prevent corrupt practices in waste management finance and actions.
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Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Adopt a sustainable waste management finance strategy and eligibility criteria that enables
implementation of priority actions.
2. Explore possible avenues to attract internal and external sustainable waste management
finance, including through foreign direct investment and other multilateral or bilateral
funding
3. Ensure sufficient resources for institutions engaged in sustainable waste management
education and public awareness.
4. In collaboration with the National Treasury promote private sector involvement in the
waste sector through the introduction of incentives, removal of investment barriers, and
creation of a conducive investment climate and facilitation of access to finance.
5. Prepare and implement a comprehensive, full costing of the national waste management
action plan developed by the waste management Council and periodically review its
financing under the framework of this Policy.
Concurrent
1. The national and county governments shall set up a 5 year waste Infrastructure delivery
programme including financial support through waste infrastructure grants for material
recovery facilities, waste treatment to address shortfall in residual waste treatment
capacity.
County Government
1. Allocate resources for sustainable waste management actions in county budgetary
processes.
2. Build capacity to mobilise and enhance absorption of resources for sustainable waste
management interventions.
3. Promote the creation of green jobs by establishing an enabling policy framework for
investment, and creating business friendly regulatory environments in recycling, green
economy, and sustainable waste management.
4. Support waste management enterprises at county level, including those run by vulnerable
and marginalized Groups.
5. Oversee sector specific anti-corruption, transparency, accountability and integrity
mechanisms to safeguard prudent management of finances.
Citizens and Individuals
1. Waste generators including individuals and households shall contribute to the cost of waste
management services.
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3.4.2. Policy Measures for Waste Reporting and Audit
The purpose of waste audit is to monitor waste management activities and compliance with waste
management procedures and regulations. It is fundamental in accounting for waste and data
generation for planning and informing decision making.
Proposed Policy Statements
County Government shall:-
1. Provide semi-annual reports to the national waste management council showing how and when
materials were collected within their jurisdiction, volume of materials recycled and measures
undertaken to implement the waste hierarchy in the county.
Concurrent
1. National and county governments shall through the national waste management council shall
establish annual consultative forum for Waste Management Development and stock taking
towards the set waste hierarchy priority targets.
Waste Management Service Providers Reporting and Audit shall:
1. Submit report and data on organizational and technical capacities, measures for waste handling
in the order of waste hierarchy on a quarterly basis to the county government.
2. Keep monthly records of quantity, source of waste, storage, waste handled or processed or
handed over to recyclers and waste intended for disposal, technical and organizational
capacities and submit the report to county government on a quarterly basis.
3. All waste treatment and disposal facilities shall record trucks that enter facility (plate number,
amount) technical and organizational capacities and provide data quarterly to county
governments.
National Government shall:-
1. Through the ministry responsible for environmental affairs in consultation with national waste
management council shall publish bi annual national report on waste management in the
country and level of achievement of the waste hierarchy including total volume of waste
collected in the country, total recycled and disposal methods and measures being undertaken
to ensure best environmental and zero waste outcomes are being achieved.
2. The Cabinet Secretary responsible for environmental affairs shall prescribe conditions and
requirements including technical, equipment, facilities and competencies to be fulfilled by
waste auditors and accreditation of bodies eligible for waste assessment and audit.
3.5. Objective 5: Engage, strengthen and build partnerships with all stakeholders,
including private and informal sector, as well as the general public, including education
for responsible waste management behaviour.
39
In order to enhance an integrated waste management system, it is essential to engage with and
educate all stakeholders, since each one plays a unique role. The current situation is that
stakeholders are not working together. The informal sector is inadequately integrated in the formal
waste related economy. Citizens are not fully aware of their roles. The private sector is mainly
implementing business as usual approach. Government does not have appropriate engagement
programs and mechanisms. Therefore, different measures and approaches are needed to ensure
participation and coordination of all stakeholders.
3.5.1. Policy measures on Education and public awareness
Raising and maintaining awareness on integrated waste management is crucial to enhance the
participation and increase the responsibility of the public as a positive agent of change. Inclusion
of sustainable waste management knowledge into the education curriculum at all levels should be
prioritized.
Policy Statements
National government
1. Develop a training and certification curriculum for waste management professionals.
2. Enhance the mainstreaming of sustainable waste management in education curriculum at
all levels through Environmental Education and extra-curriculum activities.
Concurrent
1. National and County governments shall incorporate sustainable waste management
knowledge into governments public awareness initiatives
2. National and County governments shall collaborate with, and support, media, private
sector and civil society in incorporating sustainable waste management into their advocacy
and public awareness raising programmes
3. National and County governments shall encourage smart purchasing such as buying right
amount of goods like food so that none goes to waste.
4. National and County governments shall provide timely information on waste management
using diverse platforms including their websites.
3.5.2. Formalization of the informal sector
The informal sector plays a vital role in the waste management system, especially in the collection
and recycling of waste. Recognizing their role and including them in the formal economy are
necessary steps to enhance an integrated waste management system and contribute to a circular
economy.
40
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Translate the waste hierarchy campaign in local languages for easier understanding of
the informal sector.
Concurrent
National and County governments shall:-
1. Support the formalization of the informal sector through mapping and organisation and
legal registration of the waste pickers groups.
2. Train the informal groups on this policy, waste hierarchy, materials recovery facilities,
safety measures and marketing of recycled waste and products.
3. Strengthen linkage between informal sector with markets for recycled materials.
County Government shall:-
1 Assign communal waste collection centres and transfer stations to formalised and
organised groups to manage the services
2 Mobilise communities especially in the informal settlements and support formation of
community based waste management groups or organisations.
3 Support waste management initiatives of the formalized groups through County Waste
Funds.
3.5.3. Capacity Development
Capacity-development on sustainable waste management is critical for multiple sectors of the
economy, the public, and national and county governments. Its focus will include the training of
government and county institutions to effectively implement policy frameworks, laws and
regulations. It will also include the private sector through capacity building and knowledge
transfer on the circular economy and move beyond business as usual model.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Develop and implement a sustainable waste management capacity development strategy
targeting public institutions (ministries and counties) as well as private sector and informal
groups
Concurrent
1. National and County governments shall train public officers at ministry and county level
as well as private sector and informal groups on the enforcement of the policy
2. National and County governments shall build capacity on segregation, collection,
41
recycling.
County Government shall:-
1. Prioritize proximity in capacity building and waste management interventions.
2. Develop and implement a sustainable waste management capacity development strategy
targeting public institutions (ministries and counties) as well as private sector and informal
groups within their jurisdiction
3.5.4 Mainstreaming of Gender, Youth and Special Needs in Sustainable Waste
Management
In view of their unique roles in society, women and men can be active agents to address sustainable
waste management challenges. The youth represent a crossover between the present and future
generations, and therefore play a critical part in socio-economic development. It is necessary to
carve out opportunities for them to participate in the decision-making processes of waste
governance. Moreover, creating job opportunities for people with special needs in the waste
management sector should be prioritized.
Proposed Policy Statements
1. The County government shall put in place mechanisms to ensure and enhance the
participation of the youth and vulnerable groups in sustainable waste management
decision-making and implementation
2. National and County governments shall undertake a systemic analysis of the various
special needs. Based on the analysis, job opportunities and incentives for people with such
needs should be included in the waste management system.
3.5.5 Collaboration and Stakeholders Participation
Although the Government will continue to play the lead role in waste management and planning,
it will foster participatory partnerships with the County governments, private sector, formalised
informal sector, civil society organisations, international agencies and media
Proposed Policy Statements
National government shall:
1. Promote international collaboration to harness best practices, technology and resources for
waste management.
2. Strengthen partnerships for implementation of the waste management hierarchy especially
hazardous waste through the Basel convention and other bilateral programs.
Concurrent
42
National and County governments shall:-
3. In collaboration with industry shall align their waste management approaches and priorities
to this policy.
4. Develop and implement a partnership strategy targeting the mentioned diverse
stakeholders and ensure the establishment of partnerships in a coordinated manner.
5. Promote and facilitate regional waste management approaches for certain types of wastes
where economic viability is a challenge.
3.5.6. Research and knowledge management
Technological innovation, which involves expanding and adapting existing waste management
technologies to the national or local context requires not only strong capabilities of the various
actors but a strategy to build, enhance and maintain the requisite human resource capacity. Waste
management is a dynamic paradigm and requires consistent research and innovation as new waste
streams are released regularly. Universities and research institutions play a critical role in
generating data to guide decision making as well as innovation development. Currently, there is
inadequate research being carried out on waste management.
Research data handling requires enhanced coordination to enhance its availability to all players.
Currently, research data is scattered in diverse libraries and portals and there is inadequate
coordination. In this regard, knowledge management will be strengthened to play a critical role in
guiding waste planning and interventions.
Proposed Policy Statements
National Government shall:-
1. Enhance the capacity of the public and private sectors, civil society and research
institutions to develop and utilise technological innovations for waste management.
2. Establish waste and material recovery research and training institution to build professional
waste management capacity in the country.
3. Develop a portal to share waste related data and information.
Concurrent
National and County governments shall:-
1. Identify research and technology needs and promote strategic and systematic waste
management-related research, impact and vulnerability assessments, and technology
development and diffusion.
2. Enhance linkages between government, academia, private sector, civil society and global
sustainable waste management innovation institutions.
Production | Importation
Waste Generation and
segregation
CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR THE PROPOSED CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR
WASTE MANAGEMENT VALUE CHAIN IN KENYA
Collection and
Transportation
Consumers
Materials Recovery Facility |__|
Reception: Sorting and
Waste disposal
(landfill) (5%)
Treatment
U__,}
Waste-to-energy (5%)
Manufacturers
| 1 Recycling (30%)
¥
ioeenind Farmers
|, | Composting (60%) —
ba PN]
Institutional Arrangements, Planning and Finance, Infrastructure, Skills and Technology, Education and Awareness,
Audit, Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting , Research and knowledge Management,
Law clause
- Article 42
- article 42
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