President William Ruto has rolled out an ambitious multi-sector plan to transform Nairobi, placing waste management at the center of a broader push to modernise the capital’s infrastructure.
The plan, unveiled during an address to the Nairobi City County Assembly on Thursday, outlines sweeping interventions in sanitation, roads, water supply, street lighting, and electricity access.
100 Acres Set Aside for Waste Management Overhaul
A key component of the strategy is a major restructuring of Nairobi’s waste management system, long considered one of the city’s most pressing challenges.
Under the plan, the Nairobi City County Government, led by Governor Johnson Sakaja, will allocate 100 acres of land for the development of a Material Recovery Facility alongside multiple transfer stations.
Ruto noted that work has already begun at the Dandora dumpsite, where efforts are underway to clear years of accumulated waste.
He revealed that dozens of trucks have been deployed to accelerate the clean-up, with expectations that a functional waste management system will begin taking shape within months.
The national government has also committed to injecting Ksh2 billion annually to support the initiative, describing waste management as not just a county concern but a matter of public health, environmental protection, and national image.
Street Lighting and Electricity Expansion
Beyond waste, the government is targeting improved safety through a large-scale street lighting programme.
Plans are in place to install 50,000 lighting points, including the rehabilitation of 40,000 existing lights and deployment of 10,000 new solar and smart streetlights.
Installation is expected to begin immediately, with visible improvements projected within weeks.
At the same time, electricity access is being expanded to informal settlements through a last-mile connectivity programme targeting areas such as Kibra, Mathare, Korogocho, and Kamukunji.
Water and Sanitation Projects Gain Momentum
The plan also prioritises water supply and sanitation upgrades to address chronic shortages and inefficiencies.
Among the flagship projects is the expansion of the Ng’ethu-Gigiri waterworks, expected to significantly boost daily water supply.
Authorities are also advancing the Gigiri–Shauri Moyo distribution corridor to stabilise supply in high-demand zones.
On sanitation, the government intends to construct two major trunk sewers along the Nairobi River corridor, alongside a new treatment plant designed to handle large volumes of wastewater.
Roads and Drainage to Tackle Flooding
To improve mobility and reduce flooding, the government has launched a 247-kilometre urban roads programme.
The first phase is already underway, with additional sections set to begin in the coming months.
The road works will be complemented by drainage improvements in flood-prone areas, as part of efforts to address recurring flooding challenges in the city.
A Push to Redefine Nairobi
Ruto emphasised that the transformation plan is about restoring order, dignity, and functionality to Kenya’s capital.
With timelines set for key projects and funding already committed, the government is betting on coordinated action between national and county authorities to deliver tangible results.
