The Nairobi City County has proposed a new medical waste management system that would divide the capital’s 17 sub-counties into four geographic zones and introduce a fixed weekly collection timetable.
The proposal is contained in the draft Nairobi City County Health Care Waste Management Policy, 2026, which seeks to improve the collection, transportation, and treatment of infectious and hazardous waste from healthcare facilities across the city.
“The rapid expansion of healthcare services in Nairobi City County has significantly increased the volume and complexity of healthcare waste generated across public, private and faith-based healthcare facilities
Without effective systems for segregation, treatment, transportation and disposal, these waste streams pose serious risks to public health,” reads part of the report.
Under the proposed framework, healthcare facilities in the public, private and faith-based sectors would be grouped into four zones, with designated Level 4 and Level 5 public hospitals serving as central treatment and incineration hubs.
The proposed system, if adopted, would group sub-counties around specific treatment facilities to streamline waste referral routes, reduce transportation distances, and lower the risk of exposure during transportation.
Four Proposed Waste Management Zones By Nairobi County
Under the proposed zoning plan, Nairobi North Zone would cover Ruaraka, Kamukunji and Kasarani sub-counties, with Pumwani Maternity Hospital serving as the central treatment facility.
Nairobi East Zone would comprise Embakasi West, Embakasi East and Makadara, with Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital designated as the proposed treatment hub.
Covering Starehe, Langata and Westlands, the Nairobi West Zone would have Mbagathi Hospital as its central treatment facility.
The Nairobi South Zone would comprise Dagoretti sub-county, with Mutuini Hospital proposed to handle the treatment of healthcare waste.
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Proposed Medical Waste Collection Timetable
The draft policy also proposes a fixed weekly collection schedule the prevent medical waste from accumulating at healthcare facilities.
“To ensure timely and predictable collection of healthcare waste from facilities across the County, the policy sets out the fixed collection schedule aligned to the zonal treatment system. Adherence to this schedule is essential for preventing accumulation, overflow, and environmental contamination at health facility premises,” reads part of the report.
Under the proposed timetable:
- Monday: Nairobi North — Ruaraka, Kamukunji and Kasarani
- Tuesday: Nairobi South — Dagoretti
- Wednesday: Nairobi East — Embakasi West, Embakasi East and Makadara
- Friday: Nairobi West — Starehe, Langata and Westlands
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The proposed timetable seeks to prevent medical waste from building up or overflowing at healthcare facility storage sites.
Proper, timely collection would reduce exposure risks for healthcare workers, waste handlers, and surrounding communities, including needle-stick injuries and infectious diseases.
Alongside the collection schedule, the proposed system would require healthcare facilities to follow standard waste segregation procedures, including the use of colour-coded bins and liners and maintenance of medical waste tracking registers.
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