Current Waste Management System in Kenya (2026)

Legal and Institutional Framework for Waste Management in Kenya is guided by The Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2024 and the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022 which are a major component in Kenya’s waste management system. Together they provide a comprehensive framework for resource recovery, pollution prevention, circular economy practices and sustainable waste management.

Constitutional Authority ; Waste management in Kenya is anchored on the right to a clean and healthy environment as guaranteed by article 42 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. This constitutional right places obligations on individuals, companies and governmental entities to prevent pollution and environmental degradation

Sustainable Waste Management, 2022 provides the framework for sustainable waste management at national level and aims to

• Promote resource efficiency and the circular economy. Use cleaner techniques to reduce waste production. Encourage recovery, reuse, recycling and reduction of trash.
• Improve the systems for garbage disposal and collection. Create investment and green jobs in the garbage industry. Introduce “Polluter Pays Principle” and “Zero Waste Principle”.
• Protect public health through environmentally sound management of solid waste.

Environmental Management and Coordination Rules (Waste Management), 2024; The regulations operationalize the waste management duties under the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) and provide for:

• Source segregation of waste. Transportation and storage of waste; Waste haulers must be licensed.
• Treatment and disposal of hazardous and industrial wastes
• Biomedical waste management.
• Waste tracking and reporting systems.
• Environmental protections for garbage processing and disposal facilities;

Structure of the Organisation: Waste management institutions include the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), which has the following responsibilities.

• Oversees waste management operations.
• Issue licences for recyclers, dumping sites, treatment plants and trash haulers.
• Ensure audits for compliance
• Reviews waste facility Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Audit (EA) reports.

County Governments are responsible for

• Collection and disposal of municipal garbage.
• Establishing and operating refuse disposal facilities
• Public awareness and waste segregation programmes
• Licensing and regulation of local trash service providers.

The private sector and producers are responsible for

• Cutting down on waste.
• Source separate waste.
• Proper disposal and handling
• Carrying out Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) duties where applicable.

Mazingira and Engineering Consultants Limited is at the forefront assisting the private and public institutions to meet their obligations and report under the framework.