A Public Health Officer at the Kilifi County Government has launched an initiative to distribute special diaper storage bags to residents to curb environmental pollution caused by improper disposal of used diapers.
Speaking to journalists in Kilifi town, Kelvin Anungo alias Diaperman said the move was informed by the rising cases of indiscriminate disposal of diapers in rivers and open spaces.
“We have witnessed an increase in improper disposal of diapers, especially in rivers and open areas, which has greatly contributed to environmental pollution,” said Anungo.
He explained that to demonstrate the magnitude of the problem and sensitize the community on proper disposal practices, he recently conducted an exercise that collected 2.2 tons of used diapers within 72 hours.
“Out of the 2.2 tons collected, about 1.5 tons was human waste. This shows how serious the situation is and why we must act urgently,” he said.
Anungo warned that improper disposal of diapers poses a significant public health risk, particularly during the rainy season.
“When it rains, the waste is washed into water sources and residential areas, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks,” he cautioned.
The Public Health Officer faulted diaper manufacturing companies for failing to provide clear disposal guidelines to consumers.
“Manufacturers must take greater responsibility by giving strict guidelines on proper disposal and supporting waste management initiatives,” he added.
He also called on county governments to collaborate with the national government to acquire incinerators for safe disposal of diaper waste because improper disposal leads to land degradation.
“Incinerators will provide a sustainable solution to this growing menace and help protect our environment because these diapers take over 400 years to decompose and even when burnt they do not burn completely,” he said.
Anungo noted that the initiative would significantly reduce environmental degradation, particularly in coastal areas, and urged stakeholders to develop policies and incentives to curb improper disposal of diapers.
Meanwhile, environmentalists led by Steven Otieno called on the government to formulate a policy framework compelling diaper manufacturers to take responsibility for post-consumer waste.
“We need a clear policy that holds manufacturers accountable for the waste generated by their products,” said Otieno.
Residents led by Amina Mwaruwa appealed to the municipality to increase designated waste disposal sites.
“We urge the municipality to allocate more dumping sites and provide a permanent solution to this challenge, especially during the rainy season when disease outbreaks are common,” said Mwaruwa.
However, Kilifi Municipality Manager Mwango Kalu urged residents to utilize designated collection points for disposal of used diapers.
“It has been a great challenge even to our municipality officers on the ground. Residents must dispose of diapers in designated areas to enable efficient collection by municipal officials,” said Kalu.
He emphasized the need for joint efforts among manufacturers, government agencies and the community to address environmental pollution linked to diaper waste.
Reports indicate that more than 300 million disposable diapers are used annually in Kenya, without proper disposal and management they pose a growing threat to the environment and increasing the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks in Kilifi County and across the country.
By Stephen Mrira
