Kwale county government has procured two high-capacity skip trucks and skips bins to enhance sanitary levels and waste management in Kwale, Diani, Kinango and Lungalunga municipalities.
The two skip loaders purchased by the county government through the Department of Environment, Urban Planning and Natural Resources, aim to tackle waste management challenges in the four municipalities, thereby creating a clean business environment for investors and the tourism sector in the region.
Speaking during the launch of the refuse trucks, Governor Fatuma Achani said that the skip loaders will help the county to manage solid waste, improve sanitation, and create a healthier environment for the residents, investors, and tourists.
Achani said the equipment will help keep the municipalities’ clean.
“The refuse trucks with modern features will supplement the existing equipment and boost the operational efficiency and enhance waste collection capacity in our municipalities,” she said.
The governor said this initiative aims to boost Kwales waste management infrastructure to promote cleaner and healthier communities across all the four new municipalities.
“A clean environment is essential in preventing diseases, boosting tourism, and fostering economic growth. I urge the municipality managers to ensure our towns remain clean,” said Achani.
Achani said the new initiative will address the waste management challenges faced by the municipalities in the wake of population growth and rapid urbanization.
She added that the move will not only improve cleanliness, but also boost the overall health and wellbeing of residents.
The governor was accompanied by Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo, County Secretary Sylvia Chidodo, County Executive Committee Members (CECM) Saumu Beja (Environment and Natural Resources), Michael Mutua (Trade and Tourism), Roman Shera (Agriculture and Fisheries) and Karua Tsiwezi (Public Service and Administration).
Achani assured the residents of the county on the ongoing efforts to gazette the new Samburu Municipality in Samburu Sub-County.
“We are currently in the process of establishing a new municipality in Samburu town along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway in Samburu sub county because it is developing at a faster pace,” she said.
She said the devolved unit has so far installed street and floodlights, constructed cabro roads and built an ablution blocks in the four municipalities to enhance sanitation besides many other achievements.
Achani advised residents to refrain from dumping waste into gutters and littering the streets indiscriminately.
Kinango Municipality Board Chairman, Moses Dzivo who spoke on behalf of the four municipalities expressed his gratitude to the Kwale County government for responding directly to the issue of waste management in the region.
“Solid waste management has been one of the main issues raised by the residents during public participation, and I would like to thank the county for acting on it, as these skip loaders will help resolve the matter,” he said, calling on residents to cooperate by practicing proper waste disposal.
Dzivo said the new equipment would help the municipalities address the logistical challenges that hindered clean-up activities and sanitation services.
The chairman said in Kinango municipality they have intensified public awareness on matters of solid waste management in all corners of the municipality.
He said as the county continues to put extra measures in place for waste management in the region, residents should use the identified garbage collection points to ease the process of disposal.
By Hussein Abdullahi and Sharon Ndila
