The Africa Report. The survey gathered responses from 7,877 people across 41 cities, focusing on how clean and well-managed urban areas are.
In the ranking, Mombasa scored 5.3 and came 18th, while Nairobi scored 5.0, ranking 20th. Despite this, Nairobi was still recognized as Africa’s third most attractive city overall, showing that city appeal depends on more than just cleanliness.
The cleanest city in Africa was Kigali, Rwanda, with a score of 9.4. It was followed by Rabat in Morocco and Cotonou in Benin.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir welcomed the recognition, saying it reflects the hard work of both residents and government.
“This shows that when we work together, we can achieve real change,” he said. He also promised continued efforts to improve waste management and make Mombasa cleaner and healthier for everyone.
Urban cleanliness is becoming a major concern in Africa. According to a 2018 UN-Habitat study, only about half of municipal solid waste is collected in most cities.
The African Clean Cities Platform reports that over 80% of this waste is not properly managed. With Africa’s cities growing faster than anywhere else in the world, keeping them clean is more important than ever for health and safety.
The survey used residents’ opinions to rank cities, highlighting that clean streets, well-managed waste, and a pleasant environment contribute to a city’s overall attractiveness.
Cities like Tangier, Marrakech, Abuja, and Addis Ababa also scored high for cleanliness, showing that many African cities are making progress in managing waste and improving living conditions.
For Kenya, the rankings are a sign that local governments and communities are making positive changes.
By keeping streets clean, improving garbage collection, and educating citizens on proper waste management, Nairobi and Mombasa are becoming cities that residents can be proud of.
As urban growth continues, the challenge of keeping cities clean will remain, but Kenya’s example shows that progress is possible when residents and leaders work together.
Cleaner cities not only look better but also improve health, attract visitors, and enhance quality of life.