Every time a building comes down in Nairobi, someone has to answer the question: where does all the debris go? Concrete blocks, broken tiles, twisted steel, shattered glass, mounds of excavated earth. The answer, more often than not, is a landfill. Or worse, a riverbank, an open field, or a drainage ditch.
This is not sustainable. And the regulator has finally said so.
In April 2026, the National Construction Authority (NCA) launched three landmark documents that will shape the industry for years to come: the Strategic Plan 2025/26–2027/28, the Construction Industry Outlook 2024, and the Revised National Construction and Demolition Waste Management Strategy.
For contractors, the most immediately relevant section is the waste management strategy, which now sets a clear, measurable target: a 20 percent recovery and recycling rate directly on construction sites over the next five years.
Not at a distant processing facility. Not as an aspirational goal. On site. By contractors, during construction and demolition.
The Scale of the Problem
Construction and demolition waste accounts for about 40 percent of total waste generated in urban areas. Nairobi alone produces millions of tonnes of construction waste annually, and most of it ends up in landfills, open dumps, or in rivers, clogging drainage systems and harming ecosystems.
Here is the irony. Much of what is thrown away is perfectly reusable. Concrete can be crushed into aggregate for foundations or road sub‑base. Steel can be melted and reformed. Bricks can be cleaned and relaid. Timber can be repurposed. Even excavated earth can be used for backfill, landscaping, or stabilising slopes.
But the construction industry has been slow to change. It is easier to order a skip, dump everything, and start fresh. Waste is treated as an inevitable cost of doing business rather than a resource to be managed.
The NCA’s strategy is designed to change that mindset, not through voluntary guidelines but through structured requirements backed by the Authority’s regulatory powers.
What the Strategy Actually Says
The National Construction and Demolition Waste Management Strategy and Implementation Plan (Revised Edition) was launched alongside the Strategic Plan in Nairobi on 29th April 2026. The event brought together government officials, industry leaders, and sector stakeholders in what was described as a defining moment in the continued transformation of one of Kenya’s most important economic sectors.
Speaking at the launch, NCA Executive Director Eng. Maurice Akech, MBS, highlighted the rigorous and consultative process that led to the preparation of the documents. The frameworks, he said, were developed through extensive stakeholder engagement in line with constitutional principles of public participation, transparency, and accountability.
The waste management strategy itself addresses a growing national challenge. It provides a structured framework for handling construction‑related waste, including debris from unsafe and failed structures. NCA Board Chairperson Ms. Mercy Okiro noted that the strategy “reflects our collective responsibility to promote environmental sustainability, public safety, and orderly urban development”.
The strategy is not a standalone document. It aligns with the National Building Code 2024, which replaces the outdated 1968 regulations and introduces performance-based standards that encourage sustainable practices, including waste‑reduction strategies. It also aligns with the National Sustainable Waste Management Act (2021), which provides the broader legal framework for waste management across all sectors.
The strategy now targets a 20 percent recovery and recycling rate directly on construction sites over the next five years through stronger partnerships, infrastructure, and policy reforms.
NCA Chairperson Ms. Mercy Okiro described the three documents as critical instruments that will strengthen planning, policy implementation, regulation, and service delivery across the industry. She noted the Strategic Plan would guide the Authority’s mandate over the next three years, while the Construction Industry Outlook 2024 would provide valuable data and emerging trends to support evidence‑based decision‑making.
What 20 Percent Recovery Actually Means
Let us break this down. The target is not 20 percent of waste being sent to a recycler. It is 20 percent being recovered and recycled on site.
That means contractors must actively sort, process, and reuse materials during construction or demolition, rather than relying entirely on off‑site disposal. The distinction is critical. On‑site recovery requires planning, space, equipment, and training. It changes how a site operates from the first day.
What counts toward the 20 percent? The strategy focuses on materials with the highest reuse potential:
- Concrete and masonry – crushed for use as aggregate in new concrete, road sub‑base, or fill material.
- Steel and metals – separated and sold to scrap dealers for remelting.
- Timber – reused for formwork, hoarding, or pallets, or chipped for mulch.
- Bricks and blocks – cleaned and relaid where structurally acceptable.
- Excavated earth – used for backfill, landscaping, or stabilising slopes.
- Plastics and packaging – separated for recycling through existing waste streams.
- Glass – crushed for use in concrete or as decorative aggregate.
The target is phased. The strategy outlines a five‑year implementation plan, with increasing expectations each year. Contractors who start early will have an advantage. Those who wait will scramble to catch up.
Notably, the strategy also includes provisions for debris from unsafe and failed structures – buildings that collapse due to poor workmanship, inadequate materials, or natural disasters. This waste has historically been even harder to manage because of the urgency of clearance, but the strategy now requires that even emergency demolition follow recovery protocols where feasible.
The Circular Economy Model
The NCA’s approach is grounded in a circular economy model for the construction sector. In simple terms, this means keeping materials in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value from them while in use, then recovering and regenerating products at the end of their service life.
The circular economy model contrasts sharply with the traditional linear model: take, make, use, dispose. Under the linear model, waste is an afterthought. Under the circular model, waste is designed out from the beginning.
The NCA’s strategy is designed to guide players at three levels: upstream (waste generators, including contractors and demolition firms), midstream (recyclers and processors of construction and demolition waste), and downstream (users of recycled construction materials, including other contractors and manufacturers).
At the WEEE Innovation Summit in September 2025, the NCA showcased both its Circular Economy Model and the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Strategy, demonstrating the Authority’s commitment to positioning Kenya as a regional leader in sustainable construction. Eng. Maurice Akech underscored the Authority’s commitment, noting that “through these models, we are not only reducing environmental impact but also creating opportunities for innovation, employment, and sustainable industry growth”.
What This Means for Contractors
For builders and contractors, the 20 percent target is not optional. It is a regulatory requirement backed by the NCA’s enforcement powers.
Expect more inspections. Site waste management will become a standard part of NCA site visits. Inspectors will look for evidence of sorting, separation, and recovery. Sites with no waste management plan will be flagged.
Plan waste management from the start. The days of designing a building without thinking about where the waste will go are ending. The strategy requires that waste management be integrated into project planning, not added as an afterthought.
Separate, separate, separate. On‑site sorting is the foundation of recovery. Dedicated bins or designated areas for concrete, steel, timber, bricks, and general waste will become standard practice.
Crushing equipment may be needed. Concrete and masonry are the largest waste streams by volume. On‑site crushing equipment, even small portable units, can turn waste concrete into valuable aggregate, reducing disposal costs and generating a usable product.
Document everything. The strategy emphasises data collection. Contractors should track waste volumes, recovery rates, and disposal methods. This documentation will be necessary for compliance reporting.
Train your team. Site supervisors and workers need to understand what can be recovered and what cannot. A quick briefing at the start of each project can save tonnes of reusable material from ending up in a landfill.
Look for revenue, not just cost. Recovered materials have value. Scrap steel, crushed concrete, and reusable timber can be sold or used on other projects. What was once a disposal cost can become a revenue stream.
Partnerships are key. The strategy emphasises collaboration with county governments, recyclers, and other industry actors. Contractors who build relationships with recycling facilities and material processors will have an easier time meeting the target.
Small contractors are not exempt. The strategy applies to all registered contractors, regardless of size. However, the NCA has indicated that implementation will be phased, with larger projects facing earlier and stricter requirements. Smaller firms should use this grace period to prepare.
Non‑compliance has consequences. The NCA’s enforcement powers include stop orders, fines, and in extreme cases, deregistration. The waste management strategy is not a suggestion. It is a regulation.
The Business Case
Beyond compliance, there is a compelling financial argument for on‑site recovery. Studies suggest that effective waste handling can lower total project costs by 10 to 20 percent.
Where do the savings come from?
- Reduced disposal fees. Landfills and dumpsites charge by volume. Every tonne of waste that stays on site as reused material is a tonne you do not pay to dispose of.
- Reduced material purchases. Crushed concrete can replace virgin aggregate in foundations and road sub‑base. Reclaimed timber can replace new timber for formwork and hoarding.
- Reduced transport costs. Hauling waste off‑site costs fuel, labour, and vehicle wear. Keeping material on site reduces these costs.
- Potential revenue. Scrap metal dealers pay for steel. Some recyclers pay for clean, sorted concrete and brick.
For a medium‑sized contractor completing several projects per year, the savings can add up to millions of shillings annually.
The Broader Context
The waste management strategy is one part of a larger regulatory shift. The National Construction Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to establish green building practices and enhance resilience against climate change risks. It provides for minimising waste through efficient design and construction practices as well as preservation of existing natural habitats and ecosystems.
The National Building Code 2024 requires new buildings to incorporate energy‑efficient systems, eco‑friendly materials, and waste‑reduction strategies. Contractors need to prioritise effective waste disposal strategies on site and ensure their activities do not degrade local ecosystems.
The Affordable Housing Act 2024 has created a new legal environment for large‑scale residential projects, and the Strategic Plan aligns the NCA’s mandate with these national housing goals. As hundreds of thousands of new units are built, the waste generated will be enormous. The strategy is designed to ensure that this waste does not become an environmental catastrophe.
The waste management strategy also supports Kenya’s international commitments. The Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production) require member states to reduce waste and promote circular economy practices. The strategy helps Kenya meet these obligations while also improving the local environment.
What Comes Next
The NCA has made it clear that this is only the beginning. The 20 percent target is a five‑year goal. Future revisions of the strategy are likely to set higher targets as the industry adapts.
The Authority is also working with counties to develop the infrastructure needed to support on‑site recovery, including material recovery facilities (MRFs) where contractors can send waste that cannot be processed on site. Some counties are already building these facilities as part of the Kenya Urban Support Programme and KISIP II funding.
The informal sector also has a role. The significant presence of informal activities that reuse construction products reveals opportunities to develop appropriate circularity strategies. Rather than competing with informal recyclers, formal contractors can partner with them, creating employment while improving waste management.
The NCA’s Strategic Plan 2025–2028 also emphasises the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other digital tools to improve project governance. BIM can be used to model waste streams before construction begins, identifying opportunities for prefabrication, standardisation, and material optimisation that reduce waste at source.
The Authority plans to tighten the implementation of regulations governing foreign contractors operating within the country. Local contractors who embrace sustainable practices will have a competitive edge over international firms that may be slower to adapt.
The NCA intends for these frameworks to be grounded in the actual needs of the workforce, developed through consultative processes with industry players. The collaborative approach is intended to ensure the strategies are practical, not just theoretical.
The Bottom Line
Kenya’s construction industry generates millions of tonnes of waste every year. Most of it ends up in landfills, dumps, or the environment, where it causes flooding, pollution, and health problems.
The NCA’s new waste management strategy changes the rules. A 20 percent on‑site recovery and recycling target over the next five years is not a suggestion. It is a regulatory requirement.
For contractors, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to change longstanding habits. The opportunity is to reduce costs, generate revenue, and gain a competitive edge.
The contractors who adapt quickly will find themselves ahead of the curve. Those who ignore the new rules will face inspections, fines, and potentially deregistration.
The waste is already on your site. The question is what you choose to do with it.
| Key Data Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch date | 29th April 2026 |
| Document | National Construction and Demolition Waste Management Strategy (Revised Edition) |
| Key target | 20% recovery and recycling rate directly on construction sites within 5 years |
| Current waste share | C&D waste accounts for 40% of total waste generated in urban areas |
| Legislative alignment | National Building Code 2024, National Sustainable Waste Management Act 2021, Affordable Housing Act 2024 |
| NCA leadership | Eng. Maurice Akech (Executive Director), Ms. Mercy Okiro (Board Chairperson) |
| Core principle | Circular economy model (reduce, reuse, recycle) |
| Enforcement mechanism | NCA site inspections, stop orders, fines, deregistration |
| Supporting programmes | KUSP, KISIP II (county-level material recovery facilities) |
| Digital tools | BIM for waste modelling and optimisation |
| Industry growth rate | 3.0% in 2023 (down from 6.7% in 2021) |
| Housing deficit | Over 2 million units |
