Why Waste Segregation Is the Future of Waste Management in Kenya (And Why Estates and Businesses Must Act Now)
Kenya’s Growing Waste Crisis and the Urgent Need for Change Kenya is generating more waste today than at any point in its history. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and increased consumption have significantly increased the volume of waste produced in cities such as Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, and Kisumu. National estimates show that Kenya generates approximately 22,000 tonnes of waste every day, equivalent to nearly 8 million tonnes annually, yet less than 10% of that waste is recycled. In Nairobi alone, about 2,400 tonnes of solid waste are produced daily, placing immense pressure on waste collection systems, disposal sites, and the environment. A major reason why recycling rates remain low is simple: most waste is not segregated at the source. Instead, food waste, plastics, paper, glass, and other materials are mixed together, making recovery and recycling difficult or impossible. Waste segregation—the practice of separating waste into categories at the point of generation—...