Nairobi County Puts Businesses Operating in Residential Areas on Notice

The Nairobi City County Government has issued a stern message to the businesses that operate illegally in residential places and have instructed them to move to the industrial zones or risk being harshly dealt with.

The order, which was issued on Friday, November 7, by Chief Officer in charge of Environment Geoffrey Mosiria, highlights the renewed effort by the county to safeguard the health of the people and to bring back environmental sanity and order within the capital.

Mosiria stressed that the county is not hostile to entrepreneurship, but is not going to tolerate any business that threatens the well-being of the residents anymore.

What we are not saying is that you have to cease doing your business, but why should you block your neighbours? Give the right thing, and nobody will bother you. Do it in the right place, out of residential areas in case it is harmful, like he said.

As the Environment Chief Officer explains, the order mostly aims to curb illegal recycling activities, especially bottle recycling plants that have been put in residential areas.

According to him, these facilities have been generating massive environmental pollution and health hazards to the residents of Nairobi.

We will be dealing with illegal recycling plants in residential locations that have been identified as health risks to the Nairobi people. Make sure that your facilities are green.

It is our city and we should safeguard the health and harmony of our people, Mosiria threatened. He also mentioned that the county has faced a lot of complaints by residents who have been exposed to pollution daily by businesses that do not observe the zoning and environmental regulations.

The aforementioned forms of pollution are smoke, noise, foul odour, and inappropriate waste disposal that affect the quality of life and the surroundings in the concerned communities.

In case your business is polluting the atmosphere with smoke, noise, nauseating smell, or any other pollution, move to special industrial areas. We should collaborate to make Nairobi clean, safe, and healthy to all people.

The crackdown of illicit businesses within residential places is also a comprehensive environmental enforcement policy currently being implemented by the county government.

The project is aimed at achieving total adherence to the Nairobi City County Solid Waste Management Act of 2015 and other environmental regulations, targeting the creation of sustainability and cleanliness within the city.

This is not yet the second occasion that Mosiria has been vocal on issues about environmental violations. In October, he had made a similar warning to the property owners and business operators of Eastleigh against the misuse of drainage systems.

He criticized the dumping of garbage and industrial wastes in drainage systems, which he termed as one of the main causes of excessive flooding and lack of sanitation in the city.

Eastleigh impunity should be halted! In a declaration that was made at the time, it is the duty of every business owner, landlord, and building owner to ensure that the drainage systems surrounding their premises are clean within 10 meters of the property.

He also decried the fact that the dumping of waste into drainage channels had been getting out of control, not only in Eastleigh but also in other sections of the city.

According to Mosiria, the drainage systems are not to be used for garbage dumping, as it is being done in Eastleigh and other areas of the city. The Chief Officer also reminded the property owners of their role according to the county laws, especially that they are expected to keep within a 10-meter radius of their buildings clean.

The 10-meter cleaning radius around your premises is based on the Nairobi City County Solid Waste Management Act of 2015.

We will enforce on those who do not comply, after having been educated and sensitized about environmental laws in the county, he said.

It is these enforcement endeavors that will help reestablish the integrity of the environment, improve urban sanitation, and make sure that every business is done within the confines of the law in Nairobi County.

Mosiria restated that the county will not be afraid of taking action against those who do not observe environmental and zoning laws, despite the fact that the county encourages entrepreneurship and economic development.

And so, he ended, this city belongs to all of us, and we should share the duty of protecting it by making sure that all businesses are operated in a responsible and appropriate manner.