The country’s electronic waste output continued its upward trajectory, reaching 53,559 metric tonnes in 2024, up from 46,211 tonnes in 2020, according to new data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
- •The figures highlight growing environmental pressures tied to the consumption and disposal of electronic goods.
- •Small equipment waste including items like toasters, vacuum cleaners, and other household electric devices contributed the bulk of the surge, rising 5.6% to 19,737 tonnes.
- •This category accounted for nearly 37% of total e-waste last year, further outpacing equipment waste like refrigerators, air conditioners, and heat pumps.
These cooling and freezing devices accounted for over 11,000 tonnes of e-waste in 2024, up from 10,776 tonnes in 2023. Electronic waste from televisions, laptops, and tablets also rose modestly in 2024 to 5,715 tonnes. The lowest amount of e-waste were lamps, accounting for 4,844 tonnes down from 5,039 tonnes in 2023.
A similar drop in e-waste tonnage was recorded for mobile phones. The amount stood at 6,581 tonnes in 2024 down from 6,732 in 2023. The four-year modest decrease in mobile phone waste can be attributed to recycling efforts by startups like Badili, which was founded in 2021 by Rishabh Lawania and Keshu Dubey to refurbish and resell pre-owned smartphones.
In March this year, the startup raised US$0.4 million debt facility from French development finance institution Proparco, marking a significant step in its expansion efforts across Africa.
Electronic waste poses serious environmental and health risks due to the toxic materials like lead and mercury found in discarded devices. When improperly disposed of, especially in informal recycling areas, it can pollute the air, water, and soil. The growing volume of e-waste also represents a massive loss of valuable resources and components that could have been reused.
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) estimates that by 2030, e-waste is projected to hit 82 million tonnes globally. In countries like Kenya where recycling zones are largely informal, the capacity to get rid of the waste is likely to remain overwhelmed.
The massive influx of counterfeit electronic devices continues to derail efforts to deal with e-waste. According to a report by CBi-electric, counterfeit electrical equipment has penetrated 40 – 80% of African markets, tanking revenues of veritable manufacturers.
Fake equipment is manufactured using cheap but substandard materials and barely undergoes standardized scrutiny. Its shorter lifespan contributes to the spike in e-waste and its components are likely to be more dangerous for those handling the waste.
