Dump site at airport to be relocated in October

Kisumu’s main dump site near Moi Stadium is yet to be relocated. Airport authorities have called for relocation of Kachok dump site near Kisumu International Airport from the flight path. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

Kisumu,Kenya: Kisumu County has bowed to pressure from Kenya Airports Authority's (KAA) to relocate Kachok dump site, which is directly below the flight path.

City Manager Doris Ombara says relocation will begin after the long rains. Currently, the rains may affect the construction of the new landfill in Kibigori, and the decommissioning of the current dump site situated within Kisumu's CBD.

On Tuesday, KAA Acting Managing Director Yatich Kangugo who visited Kisumu International Airport (KIA) expressed concern over the existence of the dump site on the flight path, a situation he said may lead to accidents.

Even though no incident has been reported, he said the airport has become one of the busiest in the country.

BIRD ACCIDENTS

"The dump site should be far away because when preparing for landing, aircraft are usually very close to the ground and this could lead to accidents if the birds come into awkward contact with the plane," said Mr Kangugo.

The pressure has seen Kisumu City Management meet today in a bid to finalise the tendering process, which will see the facility moved by October.

The Sh800 million project, which has been delayed for over five years, is part of the French-Kenya Sh4 billion funding through the Kisumu Urban Project (KUP).

The money was to be used to construct the new landfill and acquire tractors to be used for relocation from Kachok. The county government was to provide land.

Yesterday, Ms Ombara said the tendering for the 50-acre parcel of land on which the landfill will be put up was re-done, and that procurement is expected to be complete by next month.

 LEARNING EXPERIENCE

"We had previously moved fast by acquiring land in Kibigori, but we were delayed by the tedious tendering technicalities. We however, understand the impact of having the dump site in its current location. That is why we are committed to having it removed as soon as possible," said Ombara.

According to Ombara, an environmental impact assessment on the effect of the facility on local water sources has been undertaken. What remains is implementation of the project.

She said the establishment of the facility has been a major challenge as there is no other in the region that implementers can learn from.

"We are scheduled to take representatives of the contractor, area leadership and county representatives to Durban in South Africa to benchmark on how the project can be implemented appropriately," she added.