The Dar es Salaam city authorities have announced a new enforcement drive to compel residents to maintain cleanliness in the city. The initiative targets littering and other sanitation offences, including dumping waste in drains, rivers, and open spaces. Ilala District Commissioner Edward Mpogolo stated that the authorities would enforce the Dar es Salaam City Council (Sanitation and Environmental Management) by-laws, 2024, with fines ranging from Sh300,000 to Sh1 million.
The enforcement drive follows President Samia Suluhu Hassan's call on September 2 for local authorities to improve cleanliness in cities. She emphasized that Dar es Salaam needed stronger action to address litter and poor waste management. The authorities will recruit young people as inspectors, equipped with motorcycles, to patrol different parts of the city and issue fines on the spot to those found violating the by-laws.
The city has started installing rubbish bins and plans to add more, while public notices will be placed in various areas to inform residents about the enforcement. Public transport operators will also face scrutiny, with inspections to ensure buses, bajajs, and other vehicles have facilities for collecting waste. Drivers could be held responsible when passengers throw rubbish from their vehicles.
Ilala District Commissioner Edward Mpogolo emphasized that even minor actions, such as throwing a sweet wrapper or banana peel on the street, constitute an offence. He urged residents to take responsibility for keeping the city clean, stating that waste is generated by people and not from natural sources.
The Dar es Salaam City Council director, Elihuruma Mabelya, stated that enforcement would cover all 36 wards. The council will work with residents, local leaders, traders, and environmental stakeholders to raise awareness of the by-laws and responsibilities relating to waste disposal.
The enforcement drive is part of wider government efforts to improve urban cleanliness. On September 7, the Government ordered major cities and municipalities to conduct a two-week cleanliness campaign and prepare longer-term waste management plans. The authorities will make payments electronically rather than in cash.
The new enforcement drive aims to address the persistent issue of litter and poor waste management in Dar es Salaam. With the authorities taking a more stringent approach, residents and visitors will need to adapt to the new regulations to avoid fines. The success of the initiative will depend on effective implementation and cooperation from the public.
Key points
- Fines for littering in Dar es Salaam will range from Sh300,000 to Sh1 million.
- The authorities will recruit young inspectors to patrol the city and issue fines on the spot.
- The enforcement drive aims to improve urban cleanliness and address persistent litter and waste management issues in Dar es Salaam.
