Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geoffrey Mosiria has condemned the alleged illegal dumping of medical waste near Kawangware Primary School, warning that the practice poses a serious public health risk to schoolchildren and the surrounding community.

Mosiria shared details of the incident on his Instagram page after responding to complaints from residents in Kawangware, where medical waste believed to have originated from two private clinics was reportedly found dumped in an open area near the school.

The county official said the discovery prompted immediate action, leading to the arrest of three individuals linked to the facilities.
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Three suspects arrested

According to Mosiria, three people from two clinics were arrested and handed over to the police.

He said the suspects were awaiting processing to court by Nairobi County public health officers.
"Honestly speaking, where did we lose our humanity?" Mosiria wrote.

He added:
"I responded to complaints about the illegal dumping of medical waste, where three people from two clinics were arrested and handed over to the police. They are now awaiting processing to court by our county public health officers."

Medical waste, including pathological and infectious waste, requires specialised handling and disposal because it may expose the public to infections and other health hazards if improperly discarded.

Kenya's public health and environmental regulations require healthcare facilities to dispose of such waste through licensed and approved methods.


Concern over children's safety

Mosiria said his biggest concern was that the waste had allegedly been dumped close to Kawangware Primary School, exposing children and nearby residents to potential danger.
Geoffrey_Mosiria // Instagram

He warned that illegally discarded medical waste can become a public health hazard, particularly when left in areas accessible to children.


"This week, I will follow up to ensure that the necessary action has been taken to protect the children and other people exposed to this public health hazard," he said.


Claims of attempted bribery

Mosiria also alleged that individuals linked to the matter attempted to interfere with the enforcement process.

According to him, some people approached him through intermediaries to offer bribes, while others allegedly tried to influence county public health officers.


"They tried to reach out to me through proxies to offer bribes, and some even attempted to use public health officers to influence the process. Unfortunately, some people are willing to accept bribes from individuals involved in such serious acts," he wrote.


Strong warning against illegal practices

The county official criticised those responsible for the alleged illegal disposal of the waste and called for accountability.


"Someone who procures an illegal abortion is no different from a murderer," Mosiria wrote.

He also warned those who accept bribes to shield facilities accused of violating public health laws.


"To those who accept bribes from such facilities and allow them to continue operating while putting innocent lives at risk, you will never have peace, and you will forever remain poor eating corruption proceeds," he said.


The incident has renewed concerns about medical waste management in urban areas, with public health experts consistently warning that improper disposal of hazardous waste can expose communities to infectious diseases and environmental contamination.

Authorities are expected to continue investigations as legal proceedings against the suspects begin.