Newly Installed Nairobi CBD Waste Bins Destroyed by Protestors
Nairobi County has suffered a major setback after a number of newly installed waste bins in the Central Business District (CBD) were vandalized and destroyed by angry protestors.
The dustbins, which had only been in place for less than a month, were uprooted and carried away during demonstrations on Thursday.
The protests were held in response to the controversial death of Albert Ojwang, which has sparked outrage among many city residents.
In videos shared with Newshub.co.ke, protestors could be seen pulling the waste bins out of the ground and dragging them along major roads in the city center.
These bins had been part of Nairobi County’s recent efforts to promote cleanliness and improve hygiene across the capital.
The project was launched in mid-May, with the County’s Chief Officer for Environment, Mr. Mosiria, stressing the importance of proper waste disposal for city dwellers.
He made it clear that the bins were meant specifically for pedestrians and not for hawkers, street vendors, or business owners.
“This project is for Nairobians, especially pedestrians who have lacked proper waste disposal points for a long time. These bins are not for business people to dump their commercial waste,” Mosiria stated during the launch on Sunday, May 18.
The decision to install the bins came after many residents raised concerns over the city’s lack of waste disposal options.
Numerous complaints had been submitted to the county government, with citizens requesting dustbins in key areas to help them maintain personal and environmental hygiene. After listening to the people’s concerns, the county responded by placing the first set of bins in high-traffic locations.
Plans were already underway to expand the initiative to include neighborhoods, parks, and public transport stations.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had emphasized that the bins were more than just containers for trash — they represented a step toward a more organized, cleaner, and modern Nairobi.
To protect the bins and discourage acts of vandalism, the county had earlier offered a cash reward of Ksh 5,000 to anyone who would report individuals caught destroying or tampering with the bins. Despite this incentive, some of the bins were still targeted during the protests.
Speaking after the incident, Mosiria strongly condemned the destruction. While he acknowledged the constitutional right of citizens to protest, he urged young people to act responsibly and avoid damaging public property.
He said that peaceful demonstrations should never be used as an excuse to destroy city infrastructure.
“The right to protest is respected, but it should be done peacefully and responsibly. Vandalizing public property like these waste bins only harms our own communities and slows down efforts to build a cleaner, better Nairobi,” Mosiria warned.
The destruction has drawn criticism from different quarters, with many residents expressing disappointment on social media, pointing out that the bins had brought a positive change and were helping keep the city clean.
Others called on the county to continue its efforts and possibly introduce stronger protections for public installations in the future.
This incident has also renewed concerns about the sustainability of public infrastructure in Nairobi, especially during times of civil unrest.
Many residents are now questioning what steps the county government will take next to replace the destroyed bins and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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