Nairobi, July 3 -- The move to shut down illegal dumpsites in Nairobi County is welcome and long overdue.
The Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), which recently took over the running of the county from elected officials, says it has identified 80 such sites that it will close down soon.
These illegal landfills have been created by garbage cartels. It is critical that dumpsites are regulated, their number kept to a minimum and that they are managed properly to protect the environment and health.
Open dumpsites are a major source of greenhouse gases and the pollution risks getting worse in line with rapid urbanisation, according to the UN-Habitat.
The organisation recommends that authorities monitor and control hazards associated with la...