Public health officers in Kirinyaga County are urging the government to tighten regulations on diaper disposal due to growing waste management concerns.
They emphasized that the escalating use of disposable diapers, especially in urban and peri-urban areas, has resulted in a significant increase in non-biodegradable waste, which poses severe risks to public health and the environment.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, officials highlighted that used diapers are being indiscriminately dumped on farms, roadsides, rivers, and open spaces—practices not only prevalent in Kirinyaga County but also reported across Kenya.
They noted that the waste often ends up in water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and environmental pollution. Officials warned that if effective systems for collection and disposal are not urgently implemented, the government should consider a nationwide ban on disposable diapers, similar to the plastic bag ban introduced in 2017.
Health promoters noted that while diapers are convenient, improper disposal has led to increased sanitation concerns, with accumulated waste attracting flies and rodents that spread diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid, and amoebiasis.
The officials called for designated disposal systems, including special bins and red colour-coded bags for soiled diapers, which are classified as hazardous waste.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has previously cautioned that improper disposal of sanitary waste violates national guidelines and the Sustainable Waste Management Act, 2022, which provides for fines or prosecution for offenders.
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