TRASH AND TRAGEDY The impact of garbage on human rights in Nairobi City
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Contents Acknowledgements................................................ 4 List of Abbreviations. . ............................................. 7 Executive Summar y................................................ 8 The Problem.................................................................... 13 Case Study..................................................................... 20 Legal and Policy Context.................................................. 21
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Fear of Exclusion..............................................................25 Loss of Livelihood............................................................ 27 A Green City.................................................................... 31 Call to Action...................................................................36
2.
Google Earth Image
3
Acknowledgements
W 4
Acknowledgements...
e thank the 1,700 participants
of the
who
Kutoka Network,
attended
the
various
Prime
Minister
in
partnership
with
Appreciation also goes out to all the diverse
This report is dedicated to the communities
Concern
Worldwide
and
speakers and participants who attended the
whose
insights
various stakeholder forums held during the
the environmental disaster that is
Environment Department of the City
year; and who took time to send teams to
Dumpsite.
discussion forums during the
CESVI. In addition, information
Information
of
Education
and
the
and
Communication Campaign on the Health and
Council
Environmental Impact of Dandora Municipal
Environmental
Kenya
informed presentations. Without them, the much
Dumpsite between the 13th September 2011
Association of Manufacturers KAM and the Japan
needed insight on the Dandora Dumpsite and
and 30th of June 2012. The 8 forums in which
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have
the recommendations of this report would not
these discussion took place were facilitated by
been instrumental in the
be possible.
the Environment Department of the Office
report.
of
Nairobi
(CCN), United
Programme
UNEP,
Nations
compilation of this
research, prepare
and
share
valuable
human
rights
are
jeopardized
by
Dandora
and Anne O’Mahony
Country Director Concern Worldwide
5
Written by Victor J. Odero
List of Abbreviations
Photography by:
Manyara Kinoti
CCN City Council of Nairobi
CESVI & Fulvio Zubiani
CESVI Cooperation and Development
CSO
Civil Society Organisations
CSR Corporate Social Responsibility EKK Exodus Kutoka Network ISWM
Integrated Solid Waste Management
KAM
Kenya Association of Manufacturers
LA Local Authorities MOE Ministry of Environment
6
NCBD
Nairobi Central Business District
NGO
Non Governmental Organisation
OPM
Office of the Prime Minister
PM Prime Minister PPM Parts Per Million PPP Private Public Partnership SWOT
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
ISWM
Integrated Solid Waste Management
UN United Nations Layout & Design by
www.good.co.ke
UNEP
United Nations Environmental Programme
WFCL
Worst Forms of Child Labour
JICA
Japan International Cooperation Agency
7
Executive Summar y
A
8
clean environment is essential to
particularly
through
Executive Summar y...
respiratory
diseases,
human health; however, cleaning
endocrine complications and cancer. At least
operations
half the children in surrounding neighborhoods
generate
waste
that
can adversely affect human rights
have heavy metal concentrations in their blood
if inappropriately disposed. While the poor
that exceed the maximum level set by the
are responsible for a small fraction of waste
World Health Organization. Despite these risks,
generated in the city, they bare the greatest
between 6000 and 10000 people eke a living
burden of effects. Absence of a functional waste
from on dumpsite, while over 200,000 people
management system in Nairobi has resulted in
have indirect economic and social links to it.
indiscriminate dumping of waste in Dandora,
Consequently, many around the dumpsite do not
one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city.
want it removed for fear of losing its benefits.
Evidence demonstrates
from that
these
neighborhoods
contamination
from
City Council of Nairobi was to decommission
the
the dumpsite in early 2012, after 8 years of
dumpsite has adversely affected human health,
planning. However, conflict between the council
and the Kenya Airports Authority over the
not buttressed further into extreme poverty.
relocation of the dumpsite to Ruai has brought
In
the process to a grinding halt. The resulting
opportunities in the waste sector should be
stalemate implies there will be no quick end to
created.
particular,
livelihood
and
decent
work
one of the largest and most flagrant violations of human rights in the country. The dumpsite
To address this tragedy and injustice, the county
exists in contravention of several provisions of
government should immediately deploy modern
the Constitution of Kenya, and a raft of Laws and
technology to isolate the toxic waste from contact
Court Judgments.
with people and the environment. Identification of a site for construction of a sanitary landfill is
Given the gravity and extent of human rights
critical to a sustainable solution. However, for
violation, decommissioning of the dumpsite
real change to happen, residents of the Nairobi
should be a matter of National Interest, and
must take responsibility for their waste, a key
certainly a priority for the County Government.
step is to demand urgent delivery of a safe and
However, public participation must be at the
comprehensive waste management system, with
core of this process to ensure the poor are
a functional sanitary landfill.
9
42
30 acres 8 km. from the city
3.5M
Residents generate
10
600g everyday
11
The Problem
help groups and cooperatives operating in the
of the children and youth at the dumpsite have
are between 6,000 and 10,000 persons who
dumpsite participated in the forums. Each worker
respiratory tract infections, coughs and asthma.
declared full, yet today it is still the
scavenge at the site. These men, women and
knows a friend or relative recently deceased as
More than half of children around the dumpsite
only
children, commonly referred to as ‘Chokora’,
a consequence of disease or injury sustained
have blood lead level above 10 micrograms per
brave the dangers of the dumpsite to escape the
at the dumpsite. Infections, particularly of the
decilitre of blood, indicating exposure to high
ravages of extreme poverty.
respiratory tract, are a common cause of death.
levels of lead (UNEP 2007). The hematological
At least 25% of the workers had fresh injuries
systems of these children are also reported as
Scavenging involves sorting and recovery of
as a result of accidents from scrap metals and
suppressed, with 12.5% having haemoglobin
limestone pit is now a mountain of decaying
food and recyclable or reusable materials for
toxic waste. Accidental encounters with the
levels below the normal ranges. A popular myth
domestic, industrial, medical and agricultural
sale. At least 15,000 tonnes of recoverable waste
‘Boiler’, referring
contaminated
among communities around the dumpsite is that
is produced from the city each day, however, as
industrial waste barrels, are a leading cause of
Kenyatta National Hospital has a ward dedicated
the city lacks sorting facilities, it is all dumped
injuries and limb amputations. These accounts
to treating chest infections from Dandora and
at the site. Recovery is done manually through
are corroborated by hospital records from
Korogocho.
directly affecting more than 200,000 people
laborious processes involving poorly equipped
Kariobangi Catholic Mission Clinic where and
in
and protected individuals working in small
average of 9000 cases of respiratory infections
Scientific
Babadogo, lucky Summer, and Dandora. These
groups. These workers make meager income at
were treated annually between 2009 and 2011.
the link between unregulated dumping and
poor communities, while contributing the least
great expense to their health.
A
decade
ago
dumpsite
the
dumpsite
serving
was
Nairobi’s
3.5 million inhabitants. With each
person producing an estimated 600 grams of solid waste daily, at least 850 tones are deposited there each day. What was once an abandoned
12
The Problem...
refuse. The waste has polluted the soil, water and air surrounding
settlements
of
Korogocho,
to the problem, are bearing the burden of an environmental catastrophe. The most affected
Over 150 waste workers drawn from over 50 self-
to
disused
negative
studies health
have
long
outcomes
in
demonstrated neighbouring
The African Network for the Protection and
communities. People absorb toxins like PCBs,
Prevention of children Against Child Abuse
Dioxins and Furans by inhalation, ingestion and
and Neglect, ANPCAAN, reports at least 53%
absorption through the skin. These elements
13
The Problem...
cause and
14
digestive
disruption, low
cancer. Anecdotal
scores the
food. The number of children at the dumpsite is increasing rapidly: ANPCAAN reported 18% of
complications emanating from the dumpsite.
children have been on the dumpsite for less than
Anaemia, nervous system dysfunction, frailty,
6 months. Notwithstanding loss of education,
hypertension,
problems,
from
a significant proportion (78%) scavenge for
community suggests a high prevalence of health
kidney
evidence
IQ
decreased
the majority of the children (69%) cannot meet
fertility, frequent miscarriages, low birth weight
their basic needs, and experience irreparable
and premature deliveries, were reported in
damage to their health. Children are also forced
discussions with communities and workers at
to supplement income through illicit activities
the dumpsite.
involving selling drugs, prostitution and other forms of crime.
The
more
vulnerable
community
members
are even worse off . Of the estimated 10,000
Over 70% of the youth and children at the
workers at the dumpsite, ANPPCAN reports
dumpsite have experienced various forms of
that 55% are children below 18 years of age,
abuse at the hands of gangs, most (71.4%) by
some as young as young 10 years. Over 65%
businessmen, and almost all 91.6% by their
of children at the dumpsite are of school going
peers. The research indicates that parental
age. Almost all (95%) work to complement their
involvement in waste work is the most significant
parents’ or families’ meager income; while
determinant of child labour at the dumpsite.
15
16
“
“
At least 53% of children and youth at the dumpsite have respiratory tract infections, coughs and asthma
17
CASE STUDY Wanjiku’s Story
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In February 2012, Agnes Wanjiku, a former child labourer at the dumpsite, made national headlines by remarkably scoring 363 marks out of a possible 500 in her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam. This feat earned her admission and full scholarship at a leading secondary school. Without the dumpsite, it would not be possible for her family to provide food and support her to succeed in her exam. However, Wanjiku is an exception; majority of the children in the dumpsite will not even attend school, let alone obtain a scholarship. Yet her story exemplifies the paradox of life at the dumpsite. While it is a means by which many realize basic existence, it has entrapped the most vulnerable in an unhealthy existence. While it is true that fewer children sleep hungry in Korogocho and Dandora because their families make a living from the dumpsite, it is also true that most will suffer adverse and irreversible damage to their health and development. Only a precious few, like Wanjiku, will break free from the clutches of extreme poverty.
19
Legal and Policy Context
T 20
Legal and Policy Context...
he promulgation of the Constitution of
The dumpsite falls foul of a several legal
Kenya in 2010, with express provision
provisions:
of the Right to a Clean and Safe decades
The Local Gover nment Act, section 201,
of demands by communities affected by the
confers legal responsibility of solid waste
dumpsite. The Constitution stipulates that the
management to the City Council of Nairobi.
environment is to be protected for the benefit
The Council, in 2007, instituted a raft of solid
of present and future generations, particularly
waste by-laws to regulate the management of
through
Environment,
the
vindicated
elimination
of
processes
and
solid waste, wherein the council affirmed its
degrade
the
responsibility to collect, treat and dispose of,
environment. To the extent that unregulated
or otherwise deal with, all domestic waste and
dumping continues in Dandora, an illegality
other litter generated within its jurisdiction. The
persists. The constitutional responsibility of the
council has failed to maintain this commitment.
activities
that
are
likely
to
State to regulate use of land in the interest of public safety and health is failing; moreover,
The Public Health Act provides that the
dumping of waste at Dandora amounts to
Council has to employ all lawful, necessaryand
selective exposure of affected populations to an
reasonably practicable measures to keep their
environmental hazard, which violates the right
jurisdiction
to protection and equal benefit of the law.
occurrence of nuisance or conditions liable to
clean
and
sanitary
to
prevent
be injurious or dangerous to human health. The
conditions essentially determine the extent to
Council has failed to honour this obligation.
which people enjoy their basic rights to life, health, adequate food and shelter. Exposure of
The
and
populations to toxic waste is manifest derogation
Coordination Act EMCA (1999), explicitly
Environmental
Management
of the state obligation to respect, protect and
prohibits discharge or disposal of any waste
fulfill human rights.
in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment or ill health to any person. The
The City Council of Nairobi (and thereafter the
Act prohibits, inter alia, disposal of waste at
County Government, after the general elections),
any site not established in accordance with a
the National Environment Management Authority
license issued by the Authority. Moreover, the
(NEMA) and the Ministries responsible for local
Act prohibits disposal of toxic waste into or near
government and the Nairobi metropolitan bear
a water resource or the atmosphere.
the legal responsibility for the ongoing violation of human rights at the dumpsite.
Human rights cannot be secured in a degraded or
polluted
environment.
Environmental
21
“
“
Over 200,000 people have close economic and social ties with the dumpsite
22
850 tonnes
deposited everyday
23
Fear of Exclusion
D 24
Fear of Exclusion...
espite the serious human rights
public
The resulting misapprehension has undermined
were particularly vexed by the spokesperson ‘s
and environmental concerns about
decommissioning process, particularly among
public
decommissioning
assertion that the workers were a “shameful lot
the dumpsite, there is little public
communities and waste workers. Waste workers
process, despite the promise of improved living
of scavengers who were trying hard to destroy
outcry among city residents. This is
have affirmed that they will not accept closure of
conditions.
our environment.”
primarily because the dumpsite is situated on
the dumpsite at the expense of their livelihoods.
the periphery of the central business district,
No information is publicly available about how
The situation is exacerbated by disjointed
In
and out of sight for most. In addition, information
dependents of the site will be incorporated into
and anti-poor policy positions emanating from
statements
about
the decommissioning process.
the Government. For example, in late 2011,
only serve to confirm the suspicions of poor
the
dumpsite
and
the
proposed
mistrust
and
dissent
towards
the
confidence
in
the
the
absence
of
information,
emanating
from
anti-poor
government
the government issued a statement through
communities that they will not benefit from
public domain. Only communities living around
Fear
indirect
the Government Spokesperson in which it was
the
the dumpsite are aware of its effects, but they
dependents of the dumpsite, who have close
stated that “after substantive consultations” with
has
too are kept in the dark about the formal plans
social and economic ties with waste workers.
the stakeholders, the government was closing
of
to decommission the site.
Through empathy or sympathy, communities,
the dumpsite due to
“massive environmental
communities against the process. Most of the
particularly in Korogocho, are unwilling to
degradation.” The news was met by sharp
anti-decomissioning forces have deeply vested
Failure to publicize the negative impact of
support any initiative without viable economic
reactions from dependents of the dumpsite who
business interests that thrive in the prevailing
the dumpsite has kept public demand for
alternatives for solid waste workers, as it would
took to the streets in protest.
chaos.
redress low. Moreover, it has also fostered
transfer the economic and social burden to them.
decommissioning process remains outside the is
also
expressed
by
the
The protesters
decomissioning
of
also
fodder
the
provided
decommissioning
the
dumpsite. This for
who
antagonists have
rallied
25
Loss of Livelihood
N 26
Waste Workers For um in Korogocho otwithstanding the public mistrust
and livelihood opportunities for solid waste
and skepticism at community level,
workers. Communities fear a decommissioned
there
information
dumpsite will only create new opportunities for
about the extent to which livelihoods
middle and high income segments of society.
that have depended on the dumpsite will be
The fear is that academic and skills criteria
protected. It is unclear the extent to which
will be used to preclude them from the new
the project budget makes provision for the
solid waste economy. Unless communities are
restoration and rehabilitation of livelihoods
informed and supported to adapt to improved
that
solid waste management practices, their fears
will
be
is
lost
insufficient
when
the
dumpsite
is
decommissioned.
of marginalization will become a reality.
It is widely reported that decommissioning
There is compelling evidence that human capital
will cost KES 5.4 billion, to be funded through
is abundant around the dumpsite, even by the
development assistance grants. The extent and
fact that between 6,000 and 10,000 households,
detail about the grant conditions are
already
scarce
derive
an
income
from
the
site.
and outside the public domain. Consequently,
Initiatives by Non-Governmental organizations
fear abounds that no investments have been
have
proposed for the creation of decent work
be used to transform lives. In 2011, a pilot
demonstrated
that
this
potential
can
27
Loss of Livelihood...
programme by Concern Worldwide and Kutoka
30% of the participants did not make profit,
Network supported 100 solid waste workers to
while only 10% failed.
Returns from Grants to Solid Waste Workers
improve their livelihoods by granting workers KES 20,000 and by providing vocational skills
Such
training.
investment
programmes in
have
waste
demonstrated
workers
and
that waste
The project aimed to establish safer and more
the livelihoods of the poor. This potential
productive livelihoods for solid waste workers.
remains unexploited in Nairobi city, where
Participants
on
only 3 metric tonnes of solid waste is recycled
their existing skills and practice, with a focus
from an estimated 15,000 metric tons created
on decent work. The most preferred activities
daily. With adequate investment, solid waste
among the participants were the manufacturing
has the potential to create decent livelihoods
of charcoal from recycled material, trading
for thousands of individuals. Increased and
in scrap metal or plastics and small-scale
systematic collection of solid waste, as planned
agriculture. After twelve months, 60% of the
in the ISWMP, could significantly enhance
120000
businesses
livelihood
100000
were
encouraged
established
through
to
build
the
grants
opportunities
for
the
poor
by
remained in operation, with profits averaging
enhancing the efficiency and scale of recycling
30%. Participants
businesses.
who
augmented
existing
capital, realised returns as high as 125%. About
Scrap Trading
40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0
7200
Investment
Recruitment Revenue
Profit
Charcoal Making
Chicken Farming 10000
Ksh
28
Ksh
related businesses can positively transform
Ksh
Loss of Livelihood...
80000 60000 40000
22500
20000 0 Investment
Recruitment Revenue
Profit
8000 6000 4000
3000
2000 0 Investment
Recruitment
Revenue
Profit
29
A green city
I 30
t
is
unclear
what
purpose
the
At
forums,
representatives
of
the
private
decommissioned dumpsite will be put.
sector expressed optimism on both electricity
Media reports suggest that the site may
generation and carbon trading based on a
be converted into a recreational park or
rehabilitated dumpsite. They demonstrated that
an energy plant. However there are conflicting
based on a model (capacity of 2 metric tonnes,
views from various agencies about the best use
a total area of 20 ha, height of 15m, achieved
for the land. While the City Council of Nairobi
density of 0.65 ton/m3 and
does not consider it feasible to extract natural
LFG at
gas from the dumpsite, the Kenya Electricity
potential to produce green energy at a price
Generating
Company
(KENGEN)
calorific value of
20 MJ/m3), Dandora dumpsite has the
announced
of 0.027 â‚Ź/kWh (Multriwell). In addition to
in 2011 that it planned to create 50 megawatts
increasing the capacity of the national grid, this
of electricity from the rehabilitated site by
technology can contribute to carbon credits.
investing KES 9 billion. Private sector firms like Multriwell, have confirmed that they have
Projects resulting in the reduction of greenhouse
the capacity to profitably generate energy from
gas emissions, (like renewable energy, energy
natural gas at the dumpsite.
31
Landfill gas production (20 years)
Electricity production (40% efficiency)
138,800,000
156,657
€
m3
MWh
4,300,000
Realisation Cost
Electricity Costs
2.97
Kshs/kWh
An analysis of the two options, suggests that unless affirmative action is taken to protect the interests of the poor, they may not immediately benefit. With only 18 percent of slum dwellers’ houses connected to electricity in Korogocho, compared to 60 percent in the rest of Nairobi,
32
electricity generated from a gas plant would not
efficiency, and afforestation) can earn valuable
In November 2011, it was widely reported
carbon credits through the Clean Development
in the press that the City Council of Nairobi
Mechanism (CDM) - a project led by UNEP. The
announced an international tender worth KES
revenue generated from selling these CDM
600 million to convert the Dandora Dumpsite
credits (CERs) makes projects that otherwise
into a recreational park. The outcome of this
would not have been undertaken feasible.
process is unreported and it remains unclear if
Emissions Trading prescribes that CERs can
this would preclude natural gas harvesting.
in Nairobi, with over 250 dwelling units per
emission targets, as long as the project that
Whether the land is to be converted into a
timber and waste tin cans. A recreational park
delivers the CERs is registered as a CDM
recreational park or a natural gas plant, it is
project, before 1 January 2013.
unclear how either will directly benefit the poor.
be used by companies in the EU to meet their
“
55% of the 10,000 workers are children enough to fill more than 110 class rooms!
“
Calculation of Energy Potential of the Dumpsite
be useful to the community unless it is offered at subsidized rates and prioritised for these poor communities. Korogocho is one of the most congested areas hectare. Most houses are constructed of earth, would be at odds with the need for land and housing.
33
MODEL FOR THE CONVERSION OF A DUMPSITE INTO A SANITARY LANDFILL
34
35
Call to Action...
Call to Action
D
espite
the
Even if the plans for the Ruai site had gone
Dumpsite,
ahead, the decommissioning process would not
authorities appear to be impeded
be complete before 2016. It therefore appears
by
political
human rights in Dandora are to be abrogated
apathy. The sudden conflict between Kenya
indefinitely, a position that is untenable under
Airports Authority and the City Council of
the new Constitution of Kenya.
disaster
the
gravity
at
Dandora
bureaucracy
of
and
36
demonstrates
the
absence
of
requisite coordination and leadership. The KAA
urgently required: 1.
The City Council of Nairobi (thereafter
decommissioning process. A new location for a
County
landfill has now to be found by the City Council
the
of Nairobi.
technologies that isolate the waste at the
Government)
private
sector
should to
work
urgently
with
deploy
dumpsite from the environment. This is critical to averting further human suffering and environmental degradation.
transform solid waste disposal behavior
County Government) should immediately
in Nairobi City. A culture of solid waste
allocate land for a sanitary landfill. Dandora
reduction,
site is not sustainable, as it lacks the
backbone of a long term solution to the
fundamental qualities of a sanitary landfill,
disaster in Dandora.
The
County
4.
and
National
governments
5.
A
reuse
formal
and
recycling
institution
stakeholder
is
the
comprising
representatives
should
be
should
constituted and resourced to oversee the
dedicate resources for the rehabilitation of
decommissioning process. This institution
livelihoods and social protection for affected
will
communities. The Ministries responsible
public
for Labour and Social Development should
accountability, which are currently lacking.
establish programmes that support affected
Given
workers and vulnerable groups to find
government
alternative sources of income.
stakeholder institution to co-ordinate the
The County Government and Civil Society
multiplicity of actors to be involved in the
Organisations should undertake awareness
process.
and
To redress the situation the following actions are
objection to placing a new dumpsite adjacent to the airport has sounded the death knell for the
The City Council of Nairobi (thereafter
which isolates waste from the environment. 3.
Nairobi, despite eight years of planning and consultation,
2.
raising
developement
and
agencies
education
campaigns
to
provide
leadership
participation, the
transition it
is
by
enhancing
transparency towards
critical
for
and
devolved a
multi
37
38
39
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