Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced the signing of a Project Development Agreement with the China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC) to push forward the long-awaited Dandora waste-to-energy project.
In a statement released on Sunday, September 21, Governor Sakaja confirmed that the agreement was signed on Friday following a high-level meeting with representatives from CNEEC.
The deal also includes collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, through the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), and marks a significant step toward finalizing the Power Purchase Agreement for the 45-megawatt plant.
Describing the agreement as a “breakthrough decades in the making,” Sakaja noted that previous administrations had been unable to move the project to this advanced stage.
“This project will transform our city while creating green jobs for Nairobi’s youth,” he stated.
The waste-to-energy plant is expected to offer a long-term solution to Nairobi’s persistent solid waste management challenges.
By converting refuse into electricity, the facility will promote environmental sustainability while generating economic opportunities for residents.
Sakaja also emphasized the role of the recently recruited 4,000 ‘Green Army’ workers, who were hired on permanent and pensionable terms, noting that they will play a key role in supporting the project once operational.
The governor further revealed plans to launch Green Nairobi Company Limited, a fully autonomous body that will overhaul the capital’s waste collection and disposal systems.
The company will be responsible for implementing structured, modern waste management solutions to replace the city’s outdated and inefficient methods.
“This is a game-changing project that places Nairobi at the forefront of innovative waste management in Africa,” Sakaja said.
The Dandora plant, with an estimated construction cost of $197 million (sh50 billion), has faced numerous delays since it was first proposed in 2013.
One major setback occurred in 2020, when efforts led by Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) in partnership with KenGen were halted due to stalled feasibility studies and procurement delays.
Now, with this new agreement in place, the project appears closer than ever to becoming a reality promising a cleaner, greener future for Nairobi.
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