The County Governments of Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a joint approach to solid waste management, including establishing a recycling plant that will convert waste into useful products.
The partnership, dubbed “MOU on Regional Cooperation for Integrated Solid Waste Management”, was signed on Thursday at Kathwana Market in Tharaka Nithi County by host Governor Muthomi Njuki, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, and Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma.
The collaboration aims to address the growing challenge of waste management, which has long posed serious environmental and public health concerns across the three counties. It also seeks to transform waste into an opportunity for economic growth, sustainability, and innovation.
As part of the agreement, the three counties will work with development partners to establish a joint waste processing and recycling plant in Tharaka Nithi due to its vastness and central location.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Njuki said the counties generate approximately 1,350 tonnes of waste daily, emphasising the need for a coordinated and sustainable management plan.
He noted that about 57 percent of the waste is organic, which can be recycled into fertiliser to improve soil fertility and boost crop production.
“Eighty percent of our activity is agriculture, which drives our economy. Turning organic waste into fertiliser will reduce the cost of buying commercial fertilisers and improve our productivity,” said Njuki.
He added that the initiative would not only promote environmental conservation but also create employment opportunities for the youth, who will be involved in waste collection, sorting, and transportation to the recycling plant.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire lauded the partnership as a forward-looking step toward sustainable development, noting that it aligns with the counties’ shared vision for a cleaner and greener region.
“Together, we are not only addressing the waste menace but transforming it into a valuable economic resource that ensures a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future for generations to come,” she said.
Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma said the MOU marks a paradigm shift in how waste is viewed and managed.
“For too long, waste has been seen as a burden. Today, we are redefining it as a resource, a source of energy, innovation, and opportunities. This cooperation model prioritises our people’s health, environmental conservation, and economic growth,” said Mutuma.
The MOU paves the way for collaboration with Jospong Group, a Ghana-based investor specialising in waste management, which has expressed interest in partnering with the three counties.
The governors pledged continued cooperation, saying joint development efforts will strengthen the region’s competitiveness and contribute to achieving sustainable growth.
By Samuel Waititu
