German firm gives Sh15b for waste management

By DENNIS ONYANGO

SIAYA, KENYA:  Solid waste management in Kisumu County has received a Sh15 billion boost from a German firm.

Madam R Enterprises (MRE)  will undertake the development plan that that will take 15 years.

MRE Director Hallensleben Sebastian said they are working on relocating the Kachok dumpsite that has been a source of concern to environmentalists and residents.

The firm has already identified an alternative location to complete a modern landfill that stalled several years ago due to wrangles between the defunct municipal council and the National Environmental Management Authority. Work is now set to begin immediately.

Sh800m Grant

The announcement comes barely a month after the county received a grant of Sh800 million from a French Development Agency for relocation of the dumpsite.

“We will hire approximately 50 compactor trucks each at Sh20 million for waste collection. We will soon set up a system for households to register for the new waste collection service,”Dr Sebastian said.

The trucks will be introduced in tranches of 10-20 vehicles every 6-12 months for efficient management of waste from sugar factories and water hyacinth from Lake Victoria will be used to generate electricity in the new project.

There are also long-term plans to establish a biogas plant that will convert organic waste into economically useful products. “For cleaning the streets and markets of Kisumu County, we will use a sensible combination of manual labour and technology. This will generate employment opportunities to thousands of locals,” he added.

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, who was represented by the County Executive Member in charge of Finance Omulo Okal during the unveiling of the programme, said proper waste management will enable the county realise its dream of being the regional economic hub.

“Kisumu is central to the economy and we are aware that development cannot thrive in an area that lacks proper hygiene,” he said.