Kenya is grappling with a mounting waste challenge as new data shows that its systems are not keeping pace with the rapid rise in solid waste, leaving it behind several of its East African neighbours in performance and preparedness.
Findings from the World Bank show that Kenya continues to lag behind Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania in how it collects, processes and disposes of solid waste, pointing to gaps in infrastructure, coordination and service delivery at both national and local levels.
The report titled “What a Waste 3.0” highlights a broader global trend in which waste generation is rising quickly, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region is projected to see total waste increase from about 230 million tonnes to more than 500 million tonnes by 2050, largely driven by population growth and increased consumption.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa, municipal solid waste generation is on the rise, but collection and treatment systems remain limited, resulting in large amounts of waste being left unmanaged.
Kenya is ranked 38 in solid waste generation and management across Sub-Saharan Africa, while Tanzania stands at sixth position and Uganda at ninth, showing a clear gap between Kenya and some of its regional peers.
The report estimates that of the 231 million tonnes of municipal solid waste generated annually in the region, about 160 million tonnes are not collected. Another 54 million tonnes end up in open dumpsites, while only 17 million tonnes are taken to controlled landfills or recycling systems.
In Kenya, Dandora dumpsite remains the main disposal site and is widely regarded as one of the largest waste dumping grounds in Africa, reflecting the continued dependence on unmanaged disposal methods.
Food waste forms the largest share of municipal solid waste in Sub-Saharan Africa at 44.2 per cent, followed by paper and cardboard at 11.9 per cent and plastics at 9.6 per cent.
Kenya currently produces about 3.6 million tonnes of waste each year, based on a population estimated at 53.7 million people.
This figure is expected to grow to about 5.2 million tonnes by 2030, when the population is projected to reach 62.5 million. By 2050, annual waste generation in the country could rise to around 10.7 million tonnes if current trends continue.
“In low-income countries, uncollected waste is often managed independently by households and may be openly dumped, burned or less commonly, composted,” notes Ming Zhang, World Bank Group director, global department for urban, subnational finance, tourism and disaster management.
“Solid waste is one of the most visible by-products of human prosperity—and one of the most underestimated threats to our shared future.”
The report also shows that waste collection rates vary widely across regions, with Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia recording the lowest levels. Other regions report collection rates of about 80 per cent or higher, indicating stronger systems of waste management.
“Improvement of waste collection services is a critical step toward reduction of pollution,” says Zhang.
On a global scale, nearly 29 per cent of plastic waste, equal to about 93 million tonnes, is mismanaged. Of this, 13 per cent is disposed of in uncontrolled facilities such as dumpsites, while 16 per cent is never collected.
The report further notes that middle-income countries contribute the largest share of unmanaged plastic waste, accounting for about 87 per cent of the global total.