Nairobi Governor Sakaja Seals Deal to Advance Dandora Waste-to-Energy Plant
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has formalized a major agreement with the China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) to accelerate the development of the Dandora waste-to-energy plant, a landmark 45-megawatt project aimed at tackling the city’s persistent solid waste challenges. The Project Development Agreement, signed on Friday, also involves the Ministry of Energy through the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), marking a key step toward finalizing the Power Purchase Agreement. Sakaja hailed the milestone as a breakthrough years in the making, noting that previous administrations had struggled to advance the initiative.
The project, once operational, is expected to convert Nairobi’s refuse into electricity, promoting environmental sustainability while creating green jobs for the city’s youth. Governor Sakaja highlighted that the 4,000 recently employed Green Army workers would be critical in supporting the plant’s operations. In addition, the soon-to-be-established Green Nairobi Company Limited, an autonomous body, will oversee structured and modernized waste collection and disposal, providing a long-term solution to Nairobi’s decades-long garbage crisis. The project is estimated to cost KSh 50 billion, signaling a significant investment in the city’s infrastructure and environmental future.
The Dandora plant has faced multiple setbacks since its conception in 2013, including a suspension in 2020 by Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) and KenGen due to tender and feasibility delays. Sakaja emphasized that the current agreement positions Nairobi as a leader in innovative waste management in Africa, with the potential to transform the city’s waste sector, improve environmental health, and create economic opportunities for residents.