By Robert Nyasato

KISII, KENYA: Experts are concerned at the environmental damage being caused by solid waste deposits in Kisii town and its environs and are calling for concerted efforts to curb the menace before it gets out of hand.

The ever green town and its environs are in quandary with experts warning that residents are threatened by pollution due to wanting solid waste management.

Raising the red flag, Dr Richard Omboga, a waste management consultant based in Kisii County said the garbage with toxic substances filtered to water sources thereby endangering the lives of residents.

“It is a pity that we lack a proper disposal site after the only one was allocated a private developer and now litter is disposed off on roadsides,” Dr Omboga lamented.

The consultant said unless urgent measures were put in place, residents risked several health hazards owing to the high levels of metals in the solid waste that include medical waste.

Reached, Kisii County Director of Environment Samson Bokea said an alternative site identified by authorities at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute was found to be unsuitable because it was upstream.

“Currently we lack a waste disposal site because the existing one was sold off to an investor who has put up a building,” he disclosed.

He however said efforts were being made in consultation with Kisii Governor James Ongwae to address the menace. He noted that polythene papers were of major concern to environmentalists and there were recommendations to ban their use in Kisii.

Mr Eric Onsongo, a lecturer at Kisii University said it was important to explore other best practices of disposing off waste by conduct studies on how best to manage solid waste to sustain flora and fauna in the area.

“Participating in conserving our environment is the only sure way to a sustainable future,” Onsongo observed during an interview with The Standard.

He said if well managed the waste can be used to produce gas and be of use instead of posing health hazards to locals.

Among the first five issued the governor wants to address in his 100 days in office to waste menace in the town which is voted by planners as one of the fasted growing in the country.

Clean up exercise organized by Community Based Organizations and learning institutions in the area have not helped arrest the situation.