The city of Dar es Salaam has introduced strict penalties for individuals caught littering, with fines ranging from Sh300,000 to Sh1 million and prison sentences of 12 to 24 months, or both. This move is part of the 2024 Sanitation and Environment Bye-Law, which aims to improve the city's cleanliness and address growing concerns about waste management. The bye-law was introduced following calls from stakeholders for councils to enforce established legislation.
The push for stricter enforcement gained momentum after President Samia Suluhu Hassan criticised the city's cleanliness on September 2, 2026, during the swearing-in of regional commissioners and administrative secretaries. This led to intensified Saturday clean-up exercises across the commercial capital. Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila instructed district commissioners to engage National Service (JKT) youths in enforcing environmental laws and curbing indiscriminate waste disposal.
The new bye-laws have strict penalties for various environmental offences, including improper wastewater drainage, public urination and defecation, illegal car-washing or garage operations, and dumping waste into rivers, drainage systems or open spaces. Ilala District Commissioner, Mr Edward Mpogolo, announced strict adherence to the 2024 bye-laws during a clean-up exercise in Kisutu Ward, highlighting Sections 41 and 42 of the legislation.
However, legal and environmental experts have raised concerns about deploying untrained personnel to handle citizens. Lawyer William Maduhu noted that statutory powers already rest with the police and auxiliary militia, suggesting that councils facing staff shortages partner with private security firms under formal frameworks. This has sparked debate about the effectiveness and potential risks of the new enforcement measures.
To ensure transparency, the city plans to roll out an electronic payment system for fines, eliminating cash transactions. Enforcement teams will comprise JKT personnel and commercial motorcycle (bodaboda) riders tasked with identifying and apprehending violators. Authorities plan to conduct widespread public education and install designated waste bins prior to full punitive rollouts.
Municipal authorities will collaborate with the Traffic Police, the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) and public health officers to inspect passenger vehicles. Public transport operators will be held directly accountable if passengers throw litter out of moving vehicles. This multi-agency approach aims to address the issue of littering from various angles and promote a culture of cleanliness.
According to Mr Mpogolo, the city wants to provide education so that when enforcement begins, no one can claim they were unaware of the law. The authorities hope that the combination of education, enforcement, and penalties will lead to a significant improvement in Dar es Salaam's cleanliness and environmental management.
Key points
- Individuals face fines of Sh300,000 to Sh1 million and 12-24 months in jail for littering under the 2024 Sanitation and Environment Bye-Law.
- The city plans to roll out an electronic payment system for fines and conduct widespread public education prior to full punitive rollouts.
- Public transport operators will be held directly accountable for littering from their vehicles.
