Mombasa County Government will roll out a new waste management pilot programme in July, enlisting youth-led Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and private garbage collectors to boost efficiency and cleanliness in the coastal city.
Speaking during a public participation on solid waste management at the Tononoka Social Hall, Governor Nassir, revealed that the Port City generates over 1,200 tons of solid waste daily, but only 52 per cent is collected, while the remaining is unaccounted thus contributing to the garbage menace thus endangering public health.
To support the programme, 41 modified garbage collection Tuktuks and four garbage compactor trucks have been procured.
The Governor acknowledged that the ageing Garbage Trucks have been overwhelmed by the mounds of garbage, leaving a rancid garbage smell in the renowned city.
The youths will be trained on financial literacy, issued with a certificate of good conduct, as they will be collecting the garbage from households, registered to the Taifa Care being administered by the Social Health Authority, and protective gear and equipment will be provided.
“We cannot do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. For the longest time, what has been happening is some garbage collectors dump the waste on roads after collection.
What we are proposing is for these young people to be given these contracts. By 1st July, the first cohort of 41 will be on a three-month trial; thereafter, every single part of Mombasa, depending on the success of this, will do something similar.
Unfortunately, the procurement process in this country takes a long but we have already finalised it now,” the governor said
If successful, the programme will be expanded to all estates in Mombasa. Youths will be assigned specific zones, and all collected waste will be taken to newly established Material Recovery Facilities in each of the six sub-counties before final disposal at the Mwakirunge dumping site.
The Governor disclosed that they are exploring ways to recycle waste being dumped in Mwakirunge.
The youths will be collecting the garbage twice a week and also do fumigation and spring-cleaning. They are also expected to sensitize their communities on proper solid waste management.
The Governor assured the youths that they would receive their money promptly every month, like other County Government employees.
He also forewarned the youths that if the households complain about their conduct or poor service, they will be held responsible.
Admittedly, the Deputy Governor and County Executive Committee Member for Environment, Francis Thoya, confirmed that they have had challenges in waste collection, and the partnerships with CBOs and private companies will address the garbage menace.
He said the youth-led initiative will not only create employment but also complement the County Government in waste management. The procured tuk-tuks, he noted, will access hard-to-reach areas that cannot be accessed by trucks.
“A subcommittee has been formed to identify the areas where the programme will be piloted. Apart from the tuk-tuks, we have an ageing fleet of garbage compactor trucks that have been in existence for the last ten years. We have procured new ones with four times the capacity compared to the existing ones.”
Three more garbage compactor trucks will be procured in the 2025/2026 financial year. The DG said they plan to charge households for the garbage collection service on the water utility bill.
“That could be the best option for us to collect those bills,” he stated.
By Sadik Hassan
