NAIROBI CITY COUNTY INITIATIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTIMENT FOR WASTE TO ENERGY PROJECTS By Leah Oyake-Ombis (PhD) KENYA-SPAIN MULTILATERAL PARTNERSHIP, 9-11, Dec Crown Plaza

INTRODUCTION Management of solid waste in the County is the responsibility of the County Government. The 3.15 Million Nairobi residents according to the 2009 census report generate an estimated 2000 tons of waste per day. This generation is expected to rise to 3990 tons by 2030 when Nairobi’s population will have risen to 6.0 Million. Slightly over 50% of the generation comes from informal settlements where also, over 50% of the County’s population lives.

COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION OF WASTE Out of the daily generation, up to 50% is collected and transported for appropriate disposal. The County Government handles about 40% while the private sector does handle about 10%. Almost about 50% remains uncollected or is inappropriately disposed.

WASTE COMPOSITION Waste Composition variations depending on generation source. High Income areasMiddle incomeLow Income areas Organic Waste e.g. food waste, filming yard waste (%) Glass(%) Metals (%) Dirt, Ash, Stones Sand (%) Unclassified Residual waste (%) Domestic Hazardous waste (%) Batteries – Dry Cells.(%) Total100.00

PAST INITIATIVES County Government is yet to venture into any useful waste material recovery activities. However, other actors including both private and informal do practice material recovery. Such activities provide environmental services while also grant employment opportunities to many youths in the City. Re-use, Recycling and Composting of waste are intermediate activities which are key to Integrated Solid Waste Management implementation in the City. Several firms have shown interest in harnessing energy from waste from Dandora dumpsite

WASTE DISPOSAL Currently, Dandora dumping site is the only designated final disposal facility in the County. Dandora which has been in use since 1981, covers about 46 hectares and receives between tons per day of waste. So far over 1.8 million cubic meters of waste is dumped at Dandora and this could be a potential resource. Several studies have declared Dandora as being full while it also presents public and environmental hazards to the neighborhood.

LIKELY OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WASTE MANAGEMENT SECTOR Investment in formal material recovery activities along the SWM chain; Securing separate collection of the organic waste particularly, the market waste and making compost for horticulure; Conducting a feasibility study for waste-to-energy facility especially at Dandora in light of the over 1.8 million m 3 waste deposit; Establishment of other intermediate treatment facilities for the over 2000 tons of waste generated daily. Establishment of any other technology that would generate fuels from waste products. For example, the RDF facility.

Current state of Dandora

Conclusion In conclusion, the County Government is poised to have a breakthrough in SWM sector through establishment of partnerships along the SWM chain.

Thank you!!