THE PRICE OF PARADISE

How Mwakirunge Became the Dumping Ground for Mombasa’s Waste Crisis

By Salma Mohammed & Zaheera Abdi 

Mombasa is internationally known for its white sandy beaches, thriving tourism industry and rich cultural heritage. Yet beyond the city’s postcard image lies Mwakirunge, a community that has spent years living alongside the county’s main dumpsite. Every day, waste generated from homes, hotels, hospitals, industries and markets across Mombasa is transported to the site, leaving nearby residents to contend with smoke from burning refuse, persistent foul odours and growing concerns about the impact of pollution on their health and environment. Their experiences have repeatedly drawn the attention of environmental advocates, researchers, the County Assembly and the courts, raising difficult questions about environmental justice and public accountability.

The Mwakirunge dumpsite became Mombasa’s primary waste disposal site following the closure of the Kibarani dumpsite, which had attracted criticism over its environmental impact on Tudor Creek. Although the relocation was intended to improve waste management, Mwakirunge has gradually transformed into the county’s permanent disposal site. Evidence examined during this investigation, including environmental assessments and court records, shows that much of the waste is still disposed of through open dumping rather than within a properly engineered sanitary landfill. The continued occurrence of waste fires, poor segregation practices and uncontrolled leachate has remained a source of concern for both experts and the surrounding community.

Among the most vocal critics are residents who say daily life has become increasingly difficult because of the dumpsite. Speaking to The Standard in June 2026, Constance Chivatsi, a resident of Mwakirunge, said the community continues to endure heavy smoke, foul smells and increasing fears over diseases linked to prolonged exposure to pollution. She urged the county government to either relocate the dumpsite or construct a secure perimeter wall to protect neighbouring families, particularly children. Saum Ramadhan, Secretary of the Mwakirunge Dumpsite Committee established in 2022, also questioned the pace of government intervention, saying the committee had received little support despite being formed to address challenges facing the site.

The environmental concerns raised by residents are supported by scientific findings. In an environmental audit titled Mwakirunge Dumpsite: A Simmering Disaster, Prof. Benards Okeyo, an environmental expert and senior lecturer at Pwani University, concluded that activities at the dumpsite have contributed to environmental degradation, pollution and significant public health risks. The study recommends urgent reforms in waste management, including improved waste segregation, environmental monitoring and the development of sustainable disposal systems to reduce the impact on surrounding communities.

Public frustration eventually reached the Mombasa County Assembly. On 19 February 2020, Speaker Hon. Aharub Ebrahim Khatri committed a petition submitted by Mwakirunge residents to the Assembly’s Committee on Environment, Waste Management and Energy after residents alleged violations of environmental and public health standards. The petition sought intervention over the continued operation of the dumpsite and its effects on neighbouring communities. While the Assembly acknowledged the concerns and referred the matter for investigation, many of the issues raised by residents have continued to feature in subsequent public discussions and official reports.

The dispute later moved to the Environment and Land Court through Petition No. E017 of 2022, filed by environmental advocate Ainea Ragen in the public interest and on behalf of residents of Mwakirunge. The petition argued that continued dumping at the site infringed upon residents’ constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment as guaranteed under Article 42 of the Constitution. During the proceedings, the court issued interim orders temporarily restraining dumping activities while the matter was under consideration. Justice Lucas Naikuni also conducted a site visit, demonstrating the significance of the environmental and public health concerns presented before the court.

Court proceedings further revealed that the dumpsite had attracted concern from other public institutions. According to court records, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Kenya Airways raised objections over the location of the dumpsite because of its proximity to the flight path leading to Moi International Airport. The agencies warned that birds attracted by exposed waste could increase the risk of bird strikes, posing a potential threat to aviation safety.

Despite these concerns, the County Government of Mombasa has continued allocating funds towards waste management improvements. Budget documents reviewed during this investigation show investments in refuse collection vehicles, compactors, waste handling equipment, fencing and maintenance of waste management infrastructure. Successive county administrations have also announced plans to promote recycling and modernise waste disposal systems. However, media reports, court records and environmental assessments indicate that many of the challenges identified years earlier remain unresolved, raising concerns about the effectiveness and implementation of these initiatives.

The investigation also found that the dumpsite supports the livelihoods of hundreds of informal waste pickers who recover recyclable materials for sale. Although their work contributes to waste recovery and recycling, they often operate without adequate protective equipment, exposing themselves to hazardous materials and unsafe working conditions. Any long-term solution must therefore consider both environmental protection and the economic welfare of those who depend on the dumpsite for survival.

The evidence gathered during this investigation does not point to a single institution or administration as being solely responsible for Mwakirunge’s current condition. Instead, it reflects years of increasing waste generation, inadequate disposal infrastructure, delayed implementation of environmental reforms and limited alternatives for managing solid waste. Researchers have documented the environmental risks. Residents have repeatedly demanded action. The County Assembly has debated the issue, and the courts have intervened. Even so, many of the underlying concerns remain unresolved.

Today, Mwakirunge represents more than Mombasa’s waste disposal site. It has become a symbol of the wider challenge of balancing urban development with environmental protection and public health. As the county continues to grow, the success of its waste management policies will ultimately be measured not by the number of tonnes collected each day, but by whether communities living closest to the dumpsite can finally enjoy the clean, safe and healthy environment guaranteed to them under Kenya’s Constitution.