Nairobi Faces Service Crisis Amid Deepening County Debt

A new report warns that Kenya's capital is nearing a financial breakdown that threatens basic public services. The analysis from the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) shows Nairobi County is struggling with severe budget cuts and a massive pile of unpaid bills. These financial problems are crippling essential services. Residents now face worsening road conditions, irregular garbage collection, and unreliable public health and water systems. The KHRC states that the county's pending bills—money owed for already completed work and supplies—have grown to an unsustainable level. At the same time, its operating budget has been significantly reduced. This combination has pushed Nairobi toward a state of paralysis. The commission urges immediate action to address the debt crisis and prevent a total collapse of county functions.