Nema locked in row with Nyeri council over dumpsite

By Job Weru

Nyeri Municipal Council is at loggerheads with the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) over waste management.

The row involves a dumpsite in Githwariga, which reportedly poses health and environmental risks.

The dumpsite neighbours Asian Quarters Estate and Nyeri Provincial General Hospital.

Mayor Joseph Thairu says the local authority has set aside Sh1 million to purchase land for a dumpsite elsewhere.

"We have identified separate land, which was used as a quarry in Thunguma area. An environmental impact assessment is being conducted there and we are awaiting results from Nema," said Mr Thairu.

The mayor said converting the quarry into a dumpsite would help rehabilitate the plot, which residents consider a danger.

"Many people have drowned in the quarry during rainy seasons and filling it with garbage from the town and other estates would help rehabilitate and put it to better use," he said.

But residents of Thunguma say they would be exposed to hazardous conditions and insecurity.

Metal dealers

Ms Eunice Wandia, a resident, said parking boys and scrap metal dealers, who frequent dumpsites, would swarm over their property whenever they scavenge at the dumpsite.

"We cannot allow the council to expose us to criminals. Letting the council convert the quarries to dumpsites will lead to an exodus of criminals to our homes as well as expose us to health risks," said Wandia.

"We want them to understand that we will make good use of the degraded portions," said councillor John Kabui. The council collects garbage in Nyeri and its suburbs, including Ruring’u, King’ong’o and Kamakwa.

Recently, it bought a refuse truck at Sh8.5 million.

It has five other trucks and tractors for refuse collection. Recently, traders and residents protested against a decision by the council to charge them Sh150 for refuse collection in addition to a similar charge by the Nyeri Water and Sanitation Company.

"Why should we pay an extra Sh150?" said Mr Martin Muthiru, a trader.