Stakeholders in Kenya’s waste management sector have called for urgent reforms to strengthen inclusive, accountable, and sustainable waste governance systems amid growing pressure from rapid urbanisation, increased consumption, and overstretched county government capacities.
The calls were made during the three-day Sustainable Solid Waste Governance and Local Democracy Systems Conference held from May 4–6 and organised by the Centre for Environment Justice and Development and the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy.
The conference brought together government officials, researchers, civil society organizations, waste pickers, and private sector players to discuss ways of improving waste governance through inclusive and participatory systems.
Waste Pickers Recognised as Key Players
Opening the conference, Eng. Dr. Festus Ngeno, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, emphasised the critical contribution of waste pickers in recycling, material recovery, and environmental protection.
In remarks delivered on his behalf by Molu Wato, Director of Waste Management and Pollution Control at the ministry, Dr. Ngeno noted that despite their significant role, waste pickers remain largely excluded from formal waste management systems.
“Across Kenya, waste pickers contribute significantly to recycling, material recovery, and environmental protection. Yet, too often, they remain excluded from formal systems,” the statement read.
Stakeholders noted that county governments have a central role in integrating waste pickers into formal systems since they hold the constitutional mandate for waste management in Kenya.
Research Calls for Participatory Approaches
Research findings jointly released by CEJAD and ICLD during the conference identified key strategies for advancing inclusive waste governance.
According to the findings, integrating grassroots actors into decision-making processes is essential in achieving a just transition within the waste sector. The research also highlighted the importance of participatory approaches such as Democracy Labs and participatory video initiatives in strengthening engagement between waste pickers, county governments, and other actors.
The study found that such platforms help improve accountability, recognise the environmental contributions of waste pickers, and support more responsive and locally grounded waste governance systems.
Waste Governance Linked to Local Democracy
Speakers at the conference emphasised that waste governance is not only an environmental issue but also a democratic one that requires the recognition and inclusion of marginalised groups in policy formulation and implementation.
Executive Director of CEJAD, Griffins Ochieng’, said the Sustainable Waste Management Act and the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework present an opportunity to transform Kenya’s waste sector.
“However, this transformation will only be meaningful if waste pickers are formally recognised and integrated into systems in ways that guarantee dignified and sustainable livelihoods,” Ochieng’ said.
Meanwhile, Maria Jose Zapata, Research Director at ICLD, said sustainable waste management should be viewed as a question of local democracy in practice.
“When municipalities create space for dialogue, strengthen accountability, and invest in inclusive partnerships, they build systems that are more responsive, legitimate, and resilient,” she said.
Stakeholders Outline Key Recommendations
Participants at the conference issued several recommendations aimed at improving Kenya’s waste governance systems.
They urged local and national governments to ensure waste picker organisations are included in the design and implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks and plastic regulation policies.
Stakeholders also called for long-term financial and logistical support for participatory spaces such as Democracy Labs, which encourage collaboration, learning, and community engagement.
Other recommendations included strengthening collaboration among national and county governments, private sector actors, researchers, and civil society organisations to drive coordinated action in waste management.
The conference further emphasised the need to strengthen the implementation of EPR frameworks to ensure producers take full responsibility for the lifecycle of their products.
Participants additionally advocated for the promotion of toxic-free circular economy approaches focused on reduction, redesign, reuse, and elimination of harmful chemicals, alongside enhanced public awareness campaigns to encourage responsible waste management practices.