Whenever you visit the Dandora dumpsite, always ensure two important things are in place. First, prioritize your security. The Dandora dumpsite is known to harbor dangerous criminals and is considered a no-man’s land. It is essential to either be accompanied by security forces or arrange for local security— I recommend the latter.

Local security personnel are familiar with every inch of the dumpsite and can provide valuable information since Dandora is their home and source of livelihood.

Second, even if you bring security forces, you will still need the assistance of locals because outsiders are not as knowledgeable about the area. Relying on local security is also more cost-effective than depending solely on external security, as they can guide you efficiently and safely through the dumpsite.

That brings me to my second point: why I believe you should collaborate with local experts. The Dandora dumpsite is vast—an enormous area that would take an entire day to explore thoroughly.

As I mentioned earlier, much happens there that only long-time insiders can fully explain. During my recent visit to Dandora, my guide shared a compelling story that I feel is important to pass on.

Many companies, from production to manufacturing, dispose of their waste there. This includes toxic chemical waste from neighboring industries, metals, and harmful acids, due to the lack of proper waste management controls. This situation poses significant risks to the waste pickers who rely on the dumpsite for their livelihood.

While we were still touring and walking around, our guide delved into a very interesting subject. I was not alone on the tour; I was accompanied by a large team from the Kibanda Project and my partners from Witness.org.

The guide insisted that we listen carefully to him and follow only the routes he instructed. To emphasize his point, he demanded that we follow him step by step, warning us strongly to use only the directions he provided at any given time.

There was a quiet murmur among our team, as we wanted to understand why we should heed his stern warning. We asked him to explain the reason behind his insistence. His answer was surprising and unexpected, and I wanted a deeper explanation. He said the reason he wanted us to follow him precisely, stepping exactly where he stepped, was because of the boilers.

When I first started, I mentioned the issue of dangerous chemical waste being dumped here, including acids. Now, let me explain what we were told. When these hazardous wastes, such as acids in liquid form, are dumped, they often undergo chemical reactions with other waste materials present.

For example, acids might react with different substances, altering their properties over time. To manage this, a layer of waste is piled on top to cover or seal it, for lack of a better term.

Over time, this layer settles, sometimes becoming level with the surrounding ground. However, beneath that heap, the chemical waste, like acid, remains. Numerous reactions continue underneath, weakening the ground so much that stepping on it can cause you to sink and potentially lose your life. This is precisely why experienced guards are essential in this area.

Allegedly, many people have gone missing without a trace or lost their lives, and some have even lost their limbs below the knees due to stepping on boilers.

This is not new to those who live and work around the Dandora dumpsite. For me, it was shocking because I never expected such incidents. I believe that if these claims are proven true, the companies involved should be held accountable. This responsibility extends not only to those companies but also to any business handling hazardous waste, such as local private hospitals.

This was a random story that caught me off guard, but what shocked me most is that it is a well-known fact not only in Dandora but also in the neighboring communities.

In conclusion, I urge the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this matter and take appropriate action against those responsible. This issue causes significant harm and must be addressed promptly to prevent further suffering.

written by Olwa