The Sanitation Officer of Wote Municipality Mr. Alex Nthitu has said that the institution was facing the challenge of waste segregation management.
Nthitu disclosed that Wote town generates 20 tonnes of solid waste daily and underscored the importance of improving waste handling practices in the area.
In this regard, he called upon residents and stakeholders to embrace segregation at the source to enhance recycling efforts, reduce waste sent to dump sites and contribute towards climate action.
“Proper waste segregation remains a major challenge despite its importance in reducing environmental pollution and supporting sustainable waste management,” he said on Wednesday in Wote town during a clean-up exercise adding: “Wote town generates 20 tonnes of waste daily. I urge the residents to embrace segregation at the source. This will enhance recycling efforts that will reduce waste being sent to dumpsites.”
The clean-up exercise was part of the build-up activities to be done before the celebrations of World Environment Day on Friday (today). Also, radio messaging besides talks, was done as a way of creating awareness among the residents.
Speaking at the event, Makueni County National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Director Jimmy Owiti said that environmental conservation was a collective responsibility for every citizen.
He lamented that the poor waste management was a major contributing factor to the production of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change in the county.
Also, he stressed the need for waste segregation at source describing it as a key strategy in achieving Kenya’s vision of circular economy.
“Environmental conservation is not solely the responsibility of NEMA but a shared responsibility for every citizen,” said Owiti during the clean-up exercise.
In another development, the director applauded the market cleaning team for their exemplary work during the build-up activities and encouraged members of the public to adopt positive attitudes towards environmental conservation.
This year’s World Environment Day theme is “A Global Call for Climate Action.”
Addressing the same event, a senior environment officer, Mr. Kelvin Mutua emphasized the need for people to embrace walking especially for short distances instead of driving saying this will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“I encourage members of the public to reduce fuel consumption where possible. Lower fuel usage directly contributes to reduced greenhouse emissions. I urge people to embrace walking for short distances; it reduces emissions and also promotes healthy living,” Mutua said.
by Patrick Nyakundi and Denis Wambua
