Nairobi Conservancy Fee: Sakaja Unveils Plan to Add New Charge on Water Bills
If you live in Nairobi, your monthly water bill might be about to change — and not in the way you’d hope.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced plans to introduce a Nairobi conservancy fee, a new charge that will be included in water bills for all residents. Yes, that means everyone.
Speaking during an interview with NTV, Sakaja revealed that discussions with the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) are already complete. The county now has the green light to move forward.
And according to him, this isn’t just another levy. It’s about fixing a problem that has dragged on for years.
Why the County Says This Fee Is Necessary
Garbage. It’s everywhere. You see it on streets, near estates, sometimes piling up longer than it should. The governor says Nairobi can’t keep relying on short-term fixes.
“Nairobi needs sustainable solutions that are not quick fixes, especially on the issue of garbage. We have finally agreed with WASREB to include the conservancy fee in the water bill,” Sakaja said.
He even took a nostalgic turn.
“When I was growing up in this city, every bill of water had a component that included Solid waste management, which disappeared. But now with this fee, everybody will be paying because it is sustainable; we will be able to service our vehicles and other logistics,” he added.
In simple terms? The county believes everyone contributing consistently will create a reliable system — one that keeps trucks running and garbage collected.
How Much More Will Residents Pay?
Right now, the average Nairobi household pays around KSh1,200 for water alone.
But that’s just the beginning.
There’s sewerage fees. Meter rent. Standing charges. And 16% VAT. All that pushes the total monthly bill to roughly KSh2,000.
With the introduction of the Nairobi conservancy fee, residents should expect to pay more than that amount. The exact figure hasn’t been made public yet — and that uncertainty might make some people uneasy.
Because let’s be honest. Times are tough. Any increase, even a small one, is felt.
Turning Garbage Into Money? Here’s the Bigger Plan
But Sakaja insists this isn’t just about collecting money. It’s about changing how waste is handled altogether.
“In the past, garbage was just a cost centre; there was no revenue, and that led to pending bills. So we are partnering with the national government because they will do the offtake of fertiliser that will come from the waste,” Sakaja said.
The county plans to collaborate with the national government and private sector players. The goal? Make waste management generate revenue through recycling and fertiliser production.
It sounds ambitious. Maybe even overdue.
The county also says it will engage residents directly — educating them on proper waste disposal and encouraging the use of litter bins to reduce vandalism and illegal dumping.
Because infrastructure alone won’t fix the problem. Behavior matters too.
Ruto’s Role and the Dandora Relocation Plan
Interestingly, this announcement comes just a week after President William Ruto revealed a major development of his own.
The national government has reached an agreement to relocate the Dandora dumping site to Ruai under a comprehensive waste management programme.
Speaking in Nairobi on Sunday, February 8, Ruto emphasized the urgency of cleaning up the capital.
“We have agreed to clean the city of Nairobi. Nairobi cannot be the city in the garbage. We have sat down with the governor. I will get money from the national government so that we can add to that of the county government so that we can clean the city of Nairobi,” Ruto said.
The proposed programme will establish a modern waste treatment facility capable of converting refuse into fertiliser, energy, and other useful products.
So, in theory, Nairobi isn’t just adding a fee. It’s repositioning itself.
The Big Question: Will Residents Buy Into It?
That’s the real test.
Will Nairobians accept paying more if they start seeing cleaner streets? If trucks collect garbage on time? If waste turns into energy and fertiliser?
Or will it feel like just another burden?
For now, the Nairobi conservancy fee is a proposal backed by county and national collaboration. What happens next will depend on implementation — and public reaction.
One thing is clear though. The conversation around garbage in Nairobi just got serious.
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Nairobi Conservancy Fee: Sakaja Unveils Plan to Add New Charge on Water Bills