Garbage Revolt in Nairobi: Angry Workers Dump Waste, Paralyze Kasarani–Mwiki Road!
FRESH PROTESTS ERUPT IN NAIROBI AS GARBAGE COLLECTORS BLOCK MAJOR HIGHWAY
By Susan Momanyi/Reporter
Residents and motorists were on Wednesday morning caught in massive traffic snarl-ups after protests by garbage collectors escalated into a full-blown blockade along the busy Kasarani–Mwiki Road.
The demonstrations, which intensified near St. Francis Hospital and stretching towards Mwiki, saw piles of uncollected waste deliberately dumped on the road, effectively bringing transport to a standstill. Commuters were left stranded for hours as public service vehicles and private motorists struggled to navigate through the blocked sections.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protesting workers expressed deep frustrations over unresolved grievances, believed to include delayed payments, poor working conditions, and lack of support from relevant county authorities. The situation quickly escalated as tensions rose, with the garbage collectors vowing to maintain the blockade until their concerns are addressed.
The incident has once again exposed the growing crisis in waste management within Nairobi, raising urgent questions about the efficiency and accountability of the city’s leadership in handling essential services. Residents in the affected areas have also raised concerns over the potential public health risks posed by the accumulation of garbage along major transport corridors.
Efforts by law enforcement to restore order were ongoing at the time of this release, with authorities urging calm and promising to engage stakeholders to resolve the standoff.
This protest underscores the increasing unrest among essential service providers in the capital, as economic pressures and governance challenges continue to strain service delivery systems.
