Dandora Dumpsite: Nairobi’s Environmental and Health Crisis
The Dandora dumpsite, located in Nairobi’s Embakasi Sub-County, spans 30 acres and serves surrounding neighborhoods including Kariobangi, Baba Dogo, Gitare Marigo, and Korogocho. Established in 1977, it became Nairobi’s principal dumping site for industrial, domestic, hospital, and agricultural waste. Over 2,000 metric tonnes of waste are dumped daily, creating severe environmental hazards and health risks for the local community.
The site’s uncontrolled waste disposal pollutes the Nairobi River, emits noxious fumes from burning garbage, and releases toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium. These pollutants have caused widespread respiratory issues, skin diseases, eye infections, and dental problems, particularly among children whose bodies are more vulnerable to environmental toxins. The lack of proper sewage systems further exacerbates the contamination of water sources, affecting agriculture and daily life.
The socio-economic dimension worsens the crisis. Thousands of residents, many living in extreme poverty, rely on scavenging the dumpsite for survival. Children often miss school to work at the site, while families consume unsafe food scavenged from the garbage. Despite the City Council’s decision in 2012 to decommission Dandora, relocation efforts have stalled due to political disputes, leaving the community exposed to ongoing hazards.
Local initiatives, including the Inter-Religious Committee Against Dandora Dumpsite and UNEP studies, have highlighted the urgent need for closure, proper recycling, composting, and safe waste management. Recommendations include sorting waste into recyclable, biodegradable, and non-recyclable fractions, constructing incinerators, and providing environmental education to residents. Without decisive government action, the dumpsite remains a site of environmental injustice, disproportionately affecting Nairobi’s poorest communities and violating health and human rights standards.