NEMA Puts Kilifi County Govt on Notice

 National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) officials during a past meeting.
National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) officials during a past meeting.
File

The County government of Kilifi headed by Governor Amason Kingi has been put on notice by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) over poor management of its dumpsites.

NEMA officials who visited the county on Monday, February 1, pointed out the deplorable state of a number of dumpsites which it says have been grossly neglected.

The officials added that the sites pose a health risk to the nearby residents as the waste consists of medical waste and remains of foodstuffs.

The officials noted that some of the residents burn the waste which then emit toxic chemicals that pose a risk to the environment.

An image of dumpsite
Garbage and other waste that spilt off the trash bin blocking the road near City Market in Nairobi.
The Standard

Speaking to a local media house, NEMA chair John Konchella appealed to the county government to urgently regularize operations at the garbage sites.

"The situation is wanting. This is a devolved function for the county government to take up the necessary action, it's not a NEMA function," Konchella stated.

He also demanded the fencing of designated garbage sites to confine the areas. The residents would also be required to sort the waste in different garbage bins. 

In response to this, Kilifi County Executive Committee for Environment Karisa Mwachitu noted that measures have been put in place to properly handle the situation.

He added that areas such as Watamu had already implemented measures to recycle the waste and use it for other purposes.

Most residential areas in various counties often grapple with waste management. This causes potential harm to residents, particularly children whose curiosity might prompt them to dig through trash and play amid toxic substances.

In Nairobi County, over 2,400 tonnes of solid waste is generated every day, with nearly all of it dumped in Dandora, the city's main dumpsite.

In posh estates, garbage is collected by private companies who offer the service at a fee. However, in other low key estates, the garbage situation continues to be a menace.

Just recently, Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) launched a monthly clean-up exercise in various estates in order to control the situation.

NMS Boss Mohamed Badi noted that the exercise would cover the first Saturday of every month and would target 17 sub counties of Nairobi. He also added that strict measures would be taken on those caught flouting waste disposal regulations.

Garbage collection exercise led by NMS officials in January 2021.
Garbage collection exercise led by NMS officials in January 2021.
Photo/NMS