Quickmart Supermarket, Ruai branch in Kasarani Sub-County was closed on Friday and Saturday over allegations of dumping waste on the roadside.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said on Twitter that the supermarket will be allowed to resume operations upon meeting waste disposal requirements.
“I’m sure this supermarket will not engage in illegal dumping [of waste] again,” said Sakaja, revealing that the store’s alleged actions were brought to the attention of the county government by a resident of Ruai.
The governor shared on his Twitter feed pictures of waste reported to have been dumped on the roadside by Quickmart.
Sakaja also rewarded a resident who recorded and shared the illegal dumping of the waste.
The reward comes days after the first time governor promised to fine people recorded littering. He further promised to reward those involved in highlighting the vice through community policing.
John Paul Malawi, the Director of Environment in Nairobi County, visited the Quickmart branch on Friday and ordered its immediate closure.
“We’ve established that the said supermarket doesn’t have a proper waste management plan. The facility usually gives its waste to unauthorised people, who dump it by the roadside or in market centres,” said Malawi.
The city director of environment said they’ll go around the county to ensure compliance with waste management regulations.
Malawi said first offenders will face a fine of Sh300,000, while repeat offenders will be fined between Sh500,000 to Sh1 million.
According to county bylaws, business establishments are supposed to have proof of contract with garbage collectors.
