Naivasha hit by waste management crisis due to troubles on turf wars, impunity and political interference

 

Farmers from Kirima village in Mai Mahiu try to collect some of the garbage which has been swept away by winds from the county dumpsite to their farms, homes and the nearby Mt Longonot National park. The farmers want the dumpsite either relocated or rehabilitated noting that it was the leading cause of diseases in the semi-arid area.[Photo: Antony Gitonga, Standard]

The county government has said Naivasha is the only sub-county facing waste management challenges.

County Director of Environment Timothy Mureithi yesterday blamed the troubles on turf wars, impunity and political interference.

On Friday last week, garbage collection firms approached Governor Lee Kinyanjui seeking solutions to the wrangles rocking the multi-million shilling industry.

Mr Mureithi said several companies had been registered to keep the town clean but an influx of unlicensed collectors had created tension.

“The county had contracted six companies to collect garbage in the town. Two have since pulled out due to threats and we have tens of others that are operating illegally,” he said, adding that the infighting among the companies was of major concern.

The environment boss said that in the current situation, the rule of law had to prevail adding that the county would not recognise companies that were encroaching on zones allocated to other firms.

“It is only in Naivasha Sub-county where we have wars over garbage collection, and it is time that the rule of law was followed."

Mureithi said they had had zoned the county in a bid to address the solid waste menace. “We have split the county into 36 zones where members of the public will collect the garbage and ferry it to dumping sites at a fee." [