THE Nairobi government
yesterday added a fleet of 11 trucks to boost its garbage collection programme. Governor Evans Kidero said the county government will improve garbage collection by acquiring another set of 39 trucks.
He was speaking at Uhuru Park during the flagging off of the trucks yesterday. Kidero said a total of 50 trucks are needed to be collect some 2,000 metric tones of solid waste in Nairobi every day.
“A recent study revealed that every one tone of waste reduces the happiness index of Nairobians. We are happy today to launch these 11 trucks and we will partner with the private sector to collect more solid waste,” Kidero said.
He said the county government will partner with stakeholders to secure 40 million Euros (Sh3.6 billion) to generate electricity from solid waste. Kidero however did not say which country or organisation will pride the funds.
He urged Nairobi residents to observe health standards. Kidero said the county government will partner with the youth to ensure secure garbage collection tenders. Each of the 17 constituencies in Nairobi will receive a truck.
Nairobi MPs and MCAs present lauded the initiative adding that they will ensure some of the jobless youths get jobs. Embakasi East MP John Omondi and Dagoreti North MP Simba Arati said that they will support the governor in all his development activities.
“Management of solid waste has been a problem for a long time. As leaders, let’s seek partners who can create jobs for the youth as a result of increasing our capacity to collect garbage. It’s not time to fight the governor but to work with him since when he fails, we will all be branded failures,” said Embakasi East MP John Omondi.
Nairobi County Environment Executive John Gakuo said that the County Government will utilize the vehicles to the greatest advantage. He appealed to the truck drivers to maintain their vehicles.