Ministry of Environment Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary (CS), Dr. Deborah Barasa, has held discussions with the Ambassador of Italy to Kenya and Seychelles and Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat, Mr. Vincenzo Del Monaco, in efforts to advance Kenya’s sustainable and integrated waste management agenda.
The engagement reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between Kenya and Italy, with focused deliberations on the revival of the Kajiado Integrated Solid Waste Management (KISWAM) Project—a flagship pipeline initiative conceived in 2012 and Feasibility undertaken in the year 2018 to address persistent waste management challenges in Kajiado County, particularly within Ngong Municipality, the entire Kajiado County, and part of Nairobi City.
Dr. Barasa noted that the proposed project’s central objective is to establish a model waste-processing facility that ensures public health, environmental integrity, improved livelihoods, and enhanced overall quality of life.
The proposed model anticipates the decommissioning and rehabilitation of the former Ngong dumpsite, the construction and commissioning of a modern Waste-to-Energy facility, and the establishment of an Integrated Resource Recovery Centre (IRRC) to promote material recovery, value addition, and green job creation.
It also encompasses community sensitization on circular economy and zero-waste approaches, alongside targeted capacity-building for county waste management officers, were highlighted as essential enablers of long-term success and inclusive economic empowerment.
Dr. Barasa apprised the Ambassador of the progress made toward obtaining preliminary approval for the project.
The CS further briefed the Ambassador on complementary national interventions that align with Kenya’s broader sustainable waste management and circular economy agenda.
Both parties expressed renewed resolve to unlock pending milestones and position KISWAM as a national pilot, contributing meaningfully to environmental restoration and improved livelihoods while setting a benchmark for integrated and sustainable waste management in Kenya.
The meeting was attended by Molu Wato, Director Waste Management and Pollution Control, Dr. Vincent Kitio, Lead Urban Energy Solutions Team at UN-HABITAT and other senior Government Officials.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
