Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) has been given six months to relocate the Dandodra Dumpsite, according to a judge.
Within the same timeframe, Justice Kossy Bor ordered NMS to create a new environmentally friendly dumpsite.
In a lawsuit brought by residents of Mukuru and Korogocho, Justice Bor stated that individuals have a right to a clean environment and that the NMS, in collaboration with the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), should clean up Nairobi and the Athi River.
The judge stated that every four months, the court will examine the work done in order to ensure that the rivers are clean.
She said that effluent is being released into rivers at various locations and that Nema should take action to stop the illegal dumping.
Nema was also ordered to clean the Nairobi River from its source to the Sabaki River in Malindi, and to report on water quality every four months, according to the judge.
The Dandora dumpsite is over 30 acres in size, and some locals of Korogocho, Baba Ndogo, Mathare, and Dandora make a living by scavenging the rubbish.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and Nairobi County have been engaged in a push and pull over plans to relocate the Dandora dumpsite to Ruai.
According to KCAA, transferring the dumpsite to Ruai, which is 10 kilometers from JKIA, would violate an ICAO rule that such a facility be positioned 13 kilometers from a runway.
The announcement comes days after the President Ordered NEMA to clamp down on individuals and companies polluting Athi River.
The NMS has begun a drastic cleanup of the Nairobi river and rehabilitation of key green spaces in the city.
