Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has accused the Nairobi County Government of embezzling at least Ksh39 billion through a fictitious garbage collection programme.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, October 13, 2025, the outspoken MP claimed the funds were siphoned off through fake waste management projects and irregular payments to law firms.
“Ksh39 billion imeibwa Nairobi na imefujwa kwa njia ya kupay fake garbage collection na tena kulipa law firms,” Babu said, alleging widespread corruption within the county’s waste management system.
Garbage Collectors Cry Foul Over Unpaid Wages
Babu’s claims come against a backdrop of growing frustration among Nairobi’s garbage collectors, who have repeatedly protested delayed payments. Earlier this year, workers under AGL Garbage Collection Company staged demonstrations outside Mediamax offices on Kijabe Street, saying they had gone three months without pay.
Dressed in red overalls and carrying placards, the workers accused the company — contracted by the county — of exploitation and inconsistent salary disbursements.
“Most of us have not been paid since December. AGL only pays three or four times a year. We are suffering,” said Moses Owino, one of the protestors.
Another worker, Lilian Seyo, a mother of four, shared her plight, saying she had been evicted for failing to pay rent and her children were home due to lack of school fees.
AGL reportedly employs around 150 workers without formal contracts, paying them Ksh500 per day for six-day work weeks — a rate many say is unsustainable given Nairobi’s high cost of living.
County Budget Under Scrutiny
The allegations also raise questions about Nairobi County’s Ksh44.6 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, which heavily prioritizes health, education, and infrastructure while allocating little to waste management and sanitation.
Residents and traders have long complained about Nairobi’s mounting garbage crisis, saying poor waste collection has turned many estates and markets into health hazards.
“Garbage collection is not a luxury; it’s a basic need. The air is polluted, the streets are filthy, and our businesses are suffering,” said Kamau Njoroge, a trader in Kasarani.
The county assembly recently approved Ksh31.2 billion for recurrent expenditure and Ksh13.4 billion for development, yet city dwellers say the growing sanitation neglect points to misplaced priorities and possible mismanagement of public funds.
As the controversy deepens, both City Hall and anti-corruption agencies are under pressure to respond to Babu Owino’s allegations and address the long-standing challenges in Nairobi’s waste management system.
