The County Government of Kisumu has established six Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to enhance waste management and reduce environmental pollution in the area.
Speaking during the launch of one of the facilities in Kondele, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Judith Oluoch said the state-of-the-art facilities have been equipped with modern shredders to ensure all segregated waste, including plastics, is recycled.
“These are not dumping sites. They are collection centers where residents and waste collectors will deliver sorted waste for recycling,” Oluoch explained.
She emphasised that the initiative was not only a step toward environmental conservation but also a catalyst for job creation, especially for women and youth.
The Kondele facility, constructed at a cost of Sh5 million through the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme, was expected to significantly alleviate the plastic waste challenge in the densely populated area.
“This area faces a serious waste management problem. This facility will go a long way in addressing that while also offering employment opportunities,” she noted.
Oluoch further revealed that the Department of Environment was planning to construct a larger central facility to support the six existing ones as part of a broader strategy to add value to waste.
“We have already procured a compressor loader truck to transport waste to our main dumping site in Kasese. We are also reviewing our policies to attract partnerships that will enhance environmental conservation,” she said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Gasia Poa Waste Management Services, Dickens Ochieng, noted the firm was awarded the tender to run the facilities.
He emphasised that waste separation would begin at the household level to ensure only recyclable material reaches the facilities.
“We are also planning to acquire moulding machines to further add value to the shredded waste,” Ochieng added.
By Joanne Moraa and Tracy Atieno
