Nairobi, 16th January 2026
Nairobi City County continues to register significant progress in transforming its waste management systems as part of its commitment to building a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable city.
In partnership with the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) and the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), the County has embarked on a State of Circularity Study aimed at generating reliable data on waste streams, material flows and circular practices across Nairobi. The study seeks to provide a clear assessment of the city’s current status while identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and sustainability within the environment sector.
As part of this collaborative initiative, the County, together with KCIC and KIRDI, conducted a training for environment officers focused on research methodologies for the State of Circularity Study. The training aimed to equip officers with practical skills in data collection, analysis and reporting to support informed decision-making and the implementation of circular economy initiatives within Nairobi City County.
In a speech read by Ms. Christine Kivuva, the Assistant Director Environmental Monitoring Compliance and Enforcement, on behalf of the Director of Environment, Mr. JP Malawi, the County reaffirmed its commitment to data-driven and sustainable waste management. The Director noted that Nairobi must move beyond traditional waste disposal approaches and fully embrace a circular economy model that prioritizes waste reduction, resource recovery and value creation.
“Nairobi City County has prioritized solid waste management and evidence-based decision-making as key pillars in building a clean, healthy and sustainable city. As a rapidly growing capital, we must deliberately transition towards systems that recover value from waste while protecting our environment and public health,” the Director stated.
He added that the findings of the State of Circularity Study will play a critical role in guiding future policy formulation, investment decisions and enforcement strategies by the County Government. “This exercise will provide the evidence we need to make informed decisions on planning, regulation and financing as we modernize our waste management systems,” he noted.
Environment officers participating in the training were encouraged to actively engage in the process and ensure that the data and insights generated are translated into practical actions on the ground to improve waste management services and enhance environmental sustainability across the city.
The two-day training saw participants deliberate on key aspects including methodologies for waste data collection across household and non-household sources, mapping of waste streams, and the use of technology for real-time monitoring.
The training culminated in a field visit to a waste sorting facility operated by Flash Services Limited, where officers gained hands-on experience in waste characterization ahead of the upcoming data collection exercise.
Ms. Kivuva acknowledged the continued support of KCIC and KIRDI, noting that their technical expertise and strong partnership remain instrumental in advancing Nairobi’s circular economy agenda.
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