Nairobi’s Environment Chief tackles dangerous street food, garbage crisis

Citizen Digital accompanied him for nearly seven hours as he traversed Nairobi and its outskirts, striving to bring order to the city's environment department. While some believe it’s a tall order, Mosiria is confident that Nairobi can become garbage-free.

"I believe we can make Nairobi garbage-free by changing the mindset and accepting that hygiene is a collective responsibility," he said.

Known for his hands-on approach, Mosiria emphasized the severe health risks posed by unsanitary conditions. His phone buzzes frequently, often with alerts from residents raising concerns. His bold actions have not only drawn widespread attention but also sparked a crucial dialogue on public health and hygiene in Nairobi.

Recently, his exposés sent shockwaves through Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD), leading to the immediate closure of several food kiosks and the suspension of non-compliant vendors.

In a gripping and nauseating video that went viral, Mosiria revealed the grim reality behind a popular street food kiosk known for selling local favourites such as "smochas," kebabs, eggs, and smokies. The footage showed a horrifying scene of filth, dirty utensils, grimy pans, and even recycled cooking oil, painting a stark picture of the poor hygiene standards at the establishment.

"Most of these street foods are breeding grounds for disease and pose a serious health threat to unsuspecting customers. Much of the food consumed in Nairobi, especially street food, is not safe," he stated.

He continued, "Many vendors are only in it to make money and do not care about the consequences of their actions. It’s just terrible—both the handling and preparation are subpar. We want to ensure that all vendors adhere to the rules and that the food being consumed meets the highest standards."

As the city grapples with these revelations, Mosiria’s commitment to improving sanitary standards is evident, and his efforts are expected to lead to broader reforms in how street food vendors operate across Nairobi.

"People need a mindset change. The problem lies with the citizens of Nairobi, and we must shift our thinking if we want a clean city. As we, the county government, do our part, we expect residents to take this positively and comply with the law. Many landlords and tenants take garbage from their homes and dump it by the roadside, burdening our workers. It’s a collective responsibility if we are to make Nairobi garbage-free," he concluded.