Monday, August 25, 2025 – Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, has announced a Ksh10,000 cash reward for city residents who report scrap metal dealers caught buying vandalised county dustbins.
The bold move comes in response to a worrying trend of dustbin theft and vandalism that has plagued the Central Business District (CBD), undermining the county’s efforts to maintain cleanliness and modernize urban infrastructure.
Why the Ksh10,000 Reward?
Mosiria explained that the reward is a personal initiative and will be paid directly from his salary. This comes on top of the existing Ksh5,000 incentive for individuals who help catch dustbin vandals in the act.
“It is unfortunate that after reinstalling dustbins across Nairobi’s CBD, some unscrupulous individuals have resorted to vandalising them and selling the metal parts to scrap dealers,” Mosiria lamented.
According to the county, the vandalism not only wastes taxpayers’ money but also threatens the city’s environmental health and sanitation efforts.
Legal Action and Crackdown on Scrap Metal Dealers
Mosiria confirmed that the county government will take strict legal action against both the vandals and the rogue scrap dealers who fuel the trade. He added that investigations show some street families are being exploited by criminal networks to carry out the thefts.
“We will arrest the street families used to vandalise the bins and ensure the individuals sending them face justice as well,” he warned.
This signals a more aggressive crackdown, with authorities focusing not just on the petty offenders but also on the financiers behind the vandalism.
Why Dustbins Have Become Targets
The newly installed bins, introduced in May 2025 alongside fresh cabro paving on major Nairobi streets such as Moi Avenue, have become highly attractive to scrap traders because of their durable design and valuable metal composition.
Unfortunately, their popularity among scrap dealers has created a black market that threatens the city’s beautification efforts.
The Bigger Picture: Cleanliness and City Image
Nairobi County has been rolling out a series of urban renewal projects, including:
- Installation of modern dustbins across the CBD.
- Street lighting upgrades to improve visibility and security.
- Enhanced waste management systems to make Nairobi cleaner and more pedestrian-friendly.
Mosiria emphasized that protecting public infrastructure is critical to improving city cleanliness, pedestrian welfare, and Nairobi’s image as a modern African capital.
Public Responsibility in Protecting Nairobi
The Chief Officer urged Nairobians to take part in safeguarding public property by reporting suspicious activities to the county authorities. By offering a personal cash reward, Mosiria hopes to encourage residents to see public cleanliness as a shared responsibility.
