Kisii Municipality told to cede waste management to private entities

The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) wants the County Government of Kisii to privatise waste collection in Kisii Municipality.

Addressing a waste management stakeholder’s workshop in Kisii, Nema County Director Simon Tonui said ceding the function to the private sector will improve efficiency, promote sustainability, and create jobs for locals.

The County Government is finalising construction of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Kisii Municipality with support from the Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) Programme.

The MRF, to be operated by Green Leaf Services Company, is a key component of the integrated sustainable waste management project being implemented in the municipality.

“It is time the County Government handed over waste collection to the private sector. The new legal framework on waste management compels waste generators to pay for its disposal and management under the ‘polluter pays principle’. Get the County Government vehicles off the streets to dispel the notion that waste belongs to the municipality,” said Tonui.

He commended Governor Simba Arati for taking the bold step of decommissioning the Nyambera dumpsite and establishing a new waste management site in the municipality.

Rehabilitation of the space previously occupied by the dumpsite to create a recreational facility is almost complete.

Green Leaf Services Director John Ngoitui said his firm was working closely with the County Government to map existing waste service providers, carry out zoning and formalisation of the value chain through technical training, entrepreneurship support and market linkages.

“Our objective is to increase community participation in segregation of waste and ensure compliance by providing central collection points for waste that can be recycled. We shall work to improve efficiency in the management of the waste value chain after collection,” said Ngoitui.

The company has procured equipment for sorting and packaging of waste from India, ready for installation within the next month.

County Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Development Grace Nyarango said the County Government was finalising development of a sustainable waste management policy that will be subjected to public participation before approval and implementation.

“We are working closely with our stakeholders to review the existing legal framework to ensure it conforms with the National Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022 and supports private sector involvement in the value chain,” said Nyarango.

Director in charge of Urban Development, Kenan Miruka said the establishment of the MRF will revolutionise waste management in the county by facilitating recovery, waste-to-energy and waste-to-bio-fertiliser initiatives, thus promoting a circular economy.

He said the County Government will embark on a robust public awareness and sensitisation drive to ensure the success of the programme.