COLLECTION,TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL IN NAIROBI 85
sector is incapable of extending solid waste collection services to all areas previously
not provided with services. The pollution of these areas produces external effects that
negatively affect the public health status of the served areas. On the other hand, the
entry of smaller firms that have minimal operational costs has brought private solid
waste collection services into reach of some low-income residential areas, particularly
those proximate to the city’s dumpsite. Thus, Esho (1997) found that 70 percent of the
small private firms in his sample mainly served middle-income and some low-income
areas. Moreover, about 11 percent of the households we interviewed in 1998 in
low-income and slum areas were receiving solid waste collection services from
private companies.
Health of workers
The health situation of both NCC and private sector workers gives cause for worry.
About 80 percent of the workers interviewed have encountered health hazards in their
work, representing a higher percentage than that found among the dump waste pickers
Collection technologies are very simple and usually manual labour is applied to haul
waste into the vehicles. This has ramifications on the health and well-being of the
garbage crew. Ailments commonly suffered by the workers include, in order of impor-
tance, injury/cuts, headaches, stomach ailments, skin ailments, respiratory ailments,
pains and aches, eye problems, and burns (30 percent). The ‘protective gear’ used by
the workers comprises only of overalls, boots and, in some instances, gloves. More-
over, the lower cadre workers in the private sector are not covered in medical schemes
and do not receive regular medical check ups.
Transport and environment
The fact that Nairobi only has one official dumpsite and no transfer facilities makes
transportation a troublesome aspect of solid waste collection both in terms of financial
and environmental costs. Transportation costs are an important factor determining
user charges, and hence affordability of private solid waste collection services. Espe-
cially low-income areas located at some distance of the Dandora dumpsite suffer the
consequences. Air-pollution caused by collection vehicles is another environmental
concern. It applies in particular to the smaller firms serving low-income areas, who
can only survive thanks to the use of over-aged vehicles. Finally, it serves to mention
that workers of the NCC and the private handling companies have experienced
problems with waste pickers jumping on their vehicles using the trip to sort out useful
waste materials. Their frantic work usually results in a trail of litter polluting the roads.
Recycling, reuse and composting
Although recycling, reuse and composting are significant sub-sectors within the solid
waste management system in Nairobi, collection efforts by the NCC and private firms
are not geared in any way towards these concerns. There is no policy or any official
support for source separation, recycling, reuse and minimisation/prevention of waste
generation. Any relationship that does exist is accidental and the result of initiatives