Kisumu County has initiated elaborate plans to reduce approximately 300 tons of waste generated daily in the city and 200 from the other sub-counties.
The “Status and Plans for Sustainable Waste Management and Inclusion of Waste Pickers in the City” prepared by the Environment Department has a Waste Segregation Program that seeks to separate organic and recyclable waste at the source.
The department collects approximately 25 percent of the total waste generated while informal waste pickers, cooperatives and small businesses handle 15 to 20 percent.
Organic waste which makes up 65 percent of the collected waste mainly from household and market sources continues to pose great risks to the residents.
To address this cause, Governor Anyang Nyong’o-led administration is set to spend Sh30 million on equipment and modern waste vehicles to enhance Material Recovery Centres (MRCs).
In 2023, Nyong’o unveiled the Ward Waste Management Committees (WWMC) tasked with spearheading community-led programs to educate citizens on sustainable waste practices.
He further declared 10th of every month as County Environment Day where the department collaborates with stakeholders for sensitization and clean-up exercises.
Notably, 27 skips have been procured to be placed strategically in the city to aid in consistent Skip Waste Management (SWM) services.
It is noteworthy that Plastic Waste accounts for 15 percent while Paper and Cardboard, Metal Waste, Glass Waste, and Non-Residual Waste are posted seven, three, two and eight percent respectively.
‘We have managed to recycle five percent of the collected waste through recycling of plastics, metals, and others done by the private sector-led initiatives’-Ben Ojang, director of environment
Speaking recently during a Stakeholders Sensitization forum held at a Kisumu hotel, Ben Ojwang County Environment Director, said that recyclable waste which includes plastics, metals, and paper registered 27 percent.
“We have managed to recycle five percent of the collected waste through recycling of plastics, metals, and others done by the private sector-led initiatives,” Ojwang said at the event organized by the Centre for Environment, Justice, Advocacy and Development (CEJAD) and Sage Fund.
Kachok Dumpsite
In the landfill upgrades, he pointed out the relocation of the Kachok dumpsite to Kasese which is located 36 kilometres away from the city.
Ojwang further added that plans are in advanced stages to convert Kasese into a Sanitary Landfill with Leachate Treatment Systems.
According to Waste 360, leachates are categorized by water chemistry, heavy metals and volatile and semi-volatile compounds.
They undergo a biological treatment (Activated Sludge) which is a suspended-growth process that uses aerobic microorganisms to biodegrade organic contaminants in leachate. The leachate is aerated in an open tank with diffusers or mechanical aerators.
Participants at the forum observed that diapers are major challenges nationally and in counties, as they called for a keen focus on national imports, distributions and utility.
To divert and recover valuable materials from landfills, the department has established and operationalised five MRCs situated in Otonglo, and Obunga among others.
Ojwang said that the department will continue to offer training and capacity-building programs to waste pickers that enhance their skills in sorting, recycling, and waste management best practices.
He stressed that the Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022 recognizes waste pickers as part of the formal waste management workforce.
This followed a request by Kisumu Waste Pickers Association (KIWAPWA) Chairman Victor Onyango and its members for enhanced training in Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Waste Management.
“This will improve waste pickers livelihoods and ensure there is environmental health,” Onyango said at the event.
Another challenge highlighted by the association is the lack of a reliable mode of transportation of solid waste to the landfill, wich Onyango said has hindered the waste pickers from expanding and covering larger areas thus making it difficult to increase income.
He emphasized on consistent awareness creation and household engagement on separation of waste at source.
“These should include the provision of waste separation bags and bins, social cognition and digital content creation and dissemination,” he said.
“A Just Transition entails maximizing the social and economic opportunities of climate and environmental actions. It’s the shift towards low-carbon and sustainable economies not only holds the promise of job creation, technological innovation, and resilient societies but also requires the redirection of financial resources toward green technologies, adaptation solutions, and innovative businesses,” said Griffins Ochieng CEJAD Executive Director CEJAD.
The organization championed the essence of signing the Global Plastics Treaty to establish criteria for a negative list of toxic chemicals associated with the production, use, and disposal of plastics.
Some of the chemicals of concern which should be prioritized, Griffins emphasized are Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), Chlorinated Paraffins, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS), Alkylphenols, and Bispherols.
Others include Phthalates, Benzotriazole ultraviolet(UV)stabilizers, Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Brominated dioxins.
Ochieng called for the regulation of chemicals throughout the full life cycle of plastics by UNEA resolutions (5/14), waste management and waste pickers inclusion.
CEJAD has held similar awareness creation meetings in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru.
Legal frameworks
While responding to numerous environmental issues in the county, the department assured that they are striving with stakeholders to establish legal recognition of waste pickers as essential stakeholders in the waste management process.
Some of the legal frameworks include the Draft Solid Waste Management Policy, Draft Solid Waste Management Bill, Kisumu Solid Waste Management Plan (KISWAMP) 2015-2025, Climate Change Policy, Climate Change Act, and Climate Change Action Plan.
Others include the City Resilience Strategy, Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan, Draft Public Health, and Environment and Sanitation By-law.
The department said that they will facilitate the formation of cooperatives or associations of waste pickers to enable groups to negotiate better prices for recyclables and provide a collective voice in discussions with the county government.
“We shall also develop incentive programs that reward waste pickers for collecting recyclables. This includes providing access to recycling counters offering higher prices for collected materials, or introducing rewards for reaching recycling goals,” Ojwang informed.
The program will also be extended to residents who actively participate in recycling and composting programs, such as reduced waste collection fees for lower waste generation.
Community-led events will be bolstered to clean up public spaces to reduce litter and foster community pride and engagement.
The importance of proper waste separation and recycling will be upheld in community engagement through workshops, informational materials, and school programs.
Others include establishing Performance Metrics and Accountability, Waste Reduction Initiatives and enhanced curbside recycling services and drop-off centres for plastics, metals, glass, and paper.
We will implement Composting Programs for organic waste which might include city-sponsored green bins for households and businesses, and education on backyard composting techniques,” the Environment Departmental head affirmed.
