People use a re-branded public toilet in Nairobi City. Nairobi has close to five million people during daytime and a very well-structured way of accessing public toilets for this population is needed as a priority on public health.
Hundreds of Nairobi residents, travellers, and traders who rely on public toilets in the city centre were left stranded as a fierce dispute erupted between competing groups over control of the facilities.
The standoff began earlier this month when various groups stormed one of the toilets in the Central Business District (CBD), demanding answers on why certain groups continue managing the facilities despite their contracts expiring in November 2024.
The confrontation resulted in injuries to several youths and prompted the intervention of police officers from Central Police Station to restore calm.
Several strategically located toilets, including those at Archives, Latema Road, and Accra Road, remain closed as the county government seeks to resolve the impasse. Notices reading "Polite notice: Closed" have been placed on the affected toilets.
This crisis follows a tender issued by the county government in December last year, inviting bids for the lease and management of the public toilets in the CBD. While awaiting the announcement of the new management groups, various interested parties have been camping outside the National Archives toilets, which are now under police guard.
Agitated unemployed youths claim they stormed the area after rumours surfaced that politicians were using their influence to secure the lucrative contracts. "These toilets have been controlled by politicians for too long. We want the governor to allow genuine youth groups to manage them this time," said James Ochieng.
Mr Ochieng further expressed concerns that their promised tender might be at risk due to political interference.
"MPs and MCAs are already lobbying to secure these tenders. We will stay here until the governor clarifies who will manage the toilets. Politicians have other jobs; they should leave this opportunity for us," another, who identified as Clemo, said.
Some youths allege that a prominent MP is attempting to take control of certain toilets, which they fear could exclude them in favour of groups aligned with the legislator.
Others, led by a youth named Cliff, claimed that politicians, including Members of the County Assembly, had previously made empty promises.
"We are tired of being manipulated. This time, we are standing our ground to ensure fairness," he said.
During the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) era, the county reclaimed all 18 public toilets in the CBD, offering free access while the National Youth Service (NYS) maintained them.
However, after Governor Sakaja took office, management was transferred to various youth and women groups.
Speaking at a recent church event attended by President William Ruto, Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi revealed that women groups managing the toilets have been earning significant revenues.
"We make a lot of money from these toilets, and the governor has given us opportunities," Ms Elachi remarked.
On average, one of the toilet operators disclosed that they collect up to Sh60,000 per month, with daily usage reaching 200 customers on slow days.
Recently, City Hall had to intervene after some groups attempted to increase charges from Sh10 to Sh20, sparking further disputes.
John Mwangi, who manages a toilet along Latema Road, warned that raising fees would push customers to seek alternatives such as hotels.
"Our customers, mainly hawkers and touts, cannot afford higher fees. If we increase prices, we risk losing them," he said.
He emphasized that many hawkers struggle to make sales due to frequent confrontations with inspectorate officers, and increased toilet fees would add financial strain.
"Some of our female customers visit multiple times a day. Charging Sh20 per trip would be unfair to them," he added.
In 2021, NMS temporarily shut down public toilets in the CBD for renovation and security purposes following concerns that some facilities were being used for illegal activities.
