Inside new Bill to enforce strict electronic waste management

A new Bill before the Senate seeks to introduce strict measures for managing electronic waste (e-waste) in Kenya.

The Electronic Equipment Disposal, Recycling and Reuse Bill, 2025 sponsored by nominated Senator Peris Tobiko, proposes a legal framework to promote sustainable e-waste disposal, improve public health, and create green economy jobs. 

At its core, the Bill envisions a national e-waste recycling plant serving as the main processing hub for recyclable electronics nationwide. Similar to President William Ruto’s economic model, the Bill seems to propose a Bottom-Up approach in e-waste management, with roles being divided between county governments and the national government.

Collection starts at the ward level, where individuals and businesses generating e-waste will be required to dispose of it at a designated consolidation site in the ward. 

The county government will be required to set up e-waste consolidation sites in each ward on the advice of the respective county executive committee member (CECM).

Ward consolidation sites must be at least one acre, with a one-acre buffer. 

The CECM will be responsible for establishing and inspecting e-waste sorting sites, which are to be at least 5 acres in size with a buffer zone of 2 acres.

They will also monitor e-waste collection and disposal, and implement health standards and guidelines for e-waste handling.

In addition, CECMs will be required to create county e-waste policies, prepare e-waste management plans and allocate funds for them, and license e-waste collectors.

Devolved units will also be mandated to establish disposal infrastructure, maintain e-waste data and conduct public awareness on e-waste.

“The county government may enact county-specific legislation setting out the framework for  e-waste management in the county.”  Reads the bill.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet Secretary responsible for environmental matters will be required to classify e-waste, formulate strategies for proper e-waste disposal and ensure adherence to international obligations on e-waste management.

The Bill mandates that all e-waste generators, including households and businesses, must dispose of their electronic waste at the designated ward consolidation sites.

These will be managed by county governments, who will also license e-waste collectors and monitor compliance.

The CS will also be required to develop health guidelines for e-waste practitioners, monitor the e-waste value chain and license national e-waste plants.

While stakeholders in the sustainability sector agree that this Bill is progressive, some argue it faces challenges in implementation if passed without amendment.

A major concern is the classification of e-waste, a role which has been delegated to counties.

Experts note that most Kenyans lack awareness on e-waste disposal mechanisms, a factor that hampers proper collection and possible recycling.

Firms like Electronic Waste Producer Responsibility Organization of Kenya (EPROK), which have been managing e-waste, propose its classification by law. 

“The Bill should not delegate this role because if every county had its own framework, this would only lead to further confusion,” John Ayara, EPROK coordinator, told The Standard.

“It would be better to classify e-waste in law and have counties adhere to it. This is the practice globally,” he added.

Another concern is whether counties will collect sufficient volumes of e-waste to warrant the construction of e-waste plants.

This is because setting up such infrastructure is costly, and it would not make financial sense if volumes collected are low. 

“We do not have conclusive data on areas that would be considered e-waste hotspots. Counties should therefore collaborate to set up regional sites. E-waste is volume-driven, and if counties work in silos, implementation would be almost impossible.” Mayara says.

His sentiments are echoed by Lawrence Thuo, the chief executive of E-waste Initiative Kenya (Ewik), who says Kenya has a long way to go in e-waste collection.

“We generate about 72,000 metric tonnes of e-waste annually but collect less than 7 percent of it,” he says.

Coupled with the high costs of setting up a recycling plant, these low volumes would necessitate the construction of a facility that would support the Eastern Africa region, as opposed to a national plant that the Bill proposes. 

“The relationship with our neighbors like Tanzania is not the best at the moment, but a regional facility would be viable if bilateral relations improve,” says Thuo. “The right amount of volume is needed to break even.”