County to buy more trucks to address garbage collection challenges

Staff from Caritas-development arm of the Catholic Diocese of Embu- clean up a street in Dallas estate of Embu town. [Joseph Muchiri/Standard]

The county government plans to buy more trucks to address garbage collection challenges.

Although the county has placed bins in various estates where residents can dump waste, the five trucks available take time before collecting the trash.

Kirimari MCA Morris Nyaga said one truck moves from one collection point to the other across the county.

"By the time it gets back to it's first collection point, for another round, the bins are already choking with garbage.

This is, however, set to change after MCAs allocated funds in the supplementary budget, that will be passed next week, to purchase three more trucks.

Frequent collection

Speaking when he joined employees from Caritas - development arm of the Catholic Diocese of Embu - in cleaning Dallas estate yesterday, Mr Nyaga said frequent collection of garbage would enhance the town’s cleanliness.

Caritas Director Fr Alex Mati, Embu Health Executive Jamleck Muturi and Health Chief Officer Grace Muriithi launched the clean-up.

Ms Muriithi said they had requested for adequate funds for maintenance and repair of garbage collection vehicles and tools for cleaners.

Dr Muturi said they were seeking to collaborate with stakeholders so that the work of keeping the town clean was not left to county government alone.

“We have joined hands with the church, individuals and organisations to keep the town clean. Our aim is to prevent diseases by destroying the habitats for pests such as flies which could cause cholera,” he said.