Following recent vandalism targeting dustbins, public infrastructure, and businesses during protests in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), City Hall has taken a preemptive step to safeguard public property and taxpayer funds by temporarily removing the newly installed waste bins across key urban areas.

The move comes amid rising tensions ahead of anticipated demonstrations set for Wednesday, June 25, as the “Gen Z Protest” marks its one-year anniversary. Protests are expected to take place in various parts of the county.

This decision is informed by recent and past experiences particularly protests that occurred two weeks ago which saw dozens of public dustbins destroyed, stolen, or set ablaze.

The chaos not only disrupted waste management services but also caused damage estimated to be in the millions of shillings. In many cases, the bins were uprooted and repurposed as barricades, or torched during the unrest, leaving the city streets littered with garbage for days.

Earlier this month, City Hall had installed those large, user-friendly dustbins throughout the CBD. These bins were part of a renewed effort to promote cleanliness and proper waste disposal in the capital.

Designed for durability and convenience, the bins represented a significant investment in urban hygiene and environmental management.The county has assured residents that the bins will be reinstalled once normalcy returns.