The Hidden Health Crisis Among Kenya’s Waste Pickers
Nafula earns around KSh 100 per day. “I go home tired and covered in dirt. But I have no choice. My children need food and school fees,” she says.
A woman collecting garbages. Photo/Fuller Project.
By Naomi Cheruiyot
In the shadows of Kenya’s bustling cities, a silent but essential workforce toils daily through piles of garbage — the waste pickers.
Often unseen and unheard, these individuals are the backbone of the country’s informal recycling system. But behind their vital contribution lies a story of pain, vulnerability, and neglect.
Kenya has approximately 45,000 informal waste pickers, according to The Guardian, with around 36,000 represented by the Waste Pickers Association of Kenya, which advocates for their rights and inclusion in formal waste management systems.
In 2019 alone, waste pickers recovered over 6,000 tonnes of plastic for recycling — a monumental effort often achieved without the protection of basic safety equipment or healthcare.
In Kipkaren Estate, Eldoret, Gladys Nafula begins her day at dawn, navigating hazardous terrain in search of recyclables to sell for survival. “Every morning, I go to Kipkaren to collect garbage to find something to feed the children,” she shares. Yet, her work exposes her to countless dangers.
“People throw everything — glass, sharp metal, even syringes. See this finger? A bottle cut me, and when I went to get help, I was called a chokoraa [street child],” she says tearfully.
According to Dr. Kamonzi Mulei,Secretary at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, health risks among waste pickers are severe. “They suffer from respiratory diseases like asthma, cancers, and other illnesses caused by polluted air. Some even lose their lives,” he explains. Mulei also notes that most waste pickers lack health insurance, making access to healthcare nearly impossible.
Despite their environmental contribution, waste pickers remain marginalized, facing stigma and exploitation. Many lack education, medical access, and legal recognition, even as they help mitigate the climate crisis through recycling and waste reduction.
Nafula earns around KSh 100 per day. “I go home tired and covered in dirt. But I have no choice. My children need food and school fees,” she says.
As climate change accelerates and waste volumes rise, the contribution of waste pickers cannot be overlooked. Experts and activists are now calling for urgent government intervention.
Both national and county governments must adopt policies that formally recognize waste pickers as essential workers, deserving of social protection, health services, and education.
Training programs on safe waste handling are also crucial. Environmental organizations should partner with local communities to raise awareness, promote sustainable waste management, and advocate for safe working conditions.
Waste pickers like Nafula are not just collectors — they are unsung environmental defenders, and it’s time Kenya give them the recognition, protection, and dignity they deserve.
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