Machakos government has been urged to increase garbage management fund allocations to Mavoko sub-county.
Mavoko legislature Patrick Makau said it would boost garbage management in the region whose residents have for a long period of time continued to face serious challenges in litter collection due to the influx of solid wastes.
“We have today launched an initiative dubbed “operation Ondoa chafu chafu Mavoko” with an intent to completely clear garbage from the entire Mavoko sub-county. Residents of Mavoko have agreed to work as a team to jointly manage the garbage menace,” said Makau.
Makau said there was no need for the Mavoko sub-county administration to be blamed for failure to effectively manage garbage problem in the region because its workers were overwhelmed.
He said the administration lacked adequate resources, both logistical and human to manage garbage in the vast and highly populated sub-county.
“The county government should understand that Mavoko sub-county is vast and highly populated hence the need to be given greatest considerations that it deserves as far as solid waste management is concerned,” said Makau.
Makau said the government should be more sensitized so as not to put lives of the residents on the line arguing garbage problem that the locals had persevered to live with for long was a disaster in waiting.
He said several residents especially women and children from the region had been infected by diseases related to poor hygiene and sanitation.
Makau said they included slums in Mlolongo and Athi River, like Mlolongo Phase three, Sofia, Jua Kali, City Carton, Kanaani, Sofia, Kasuitu, Kisumu Ndogo and Kwa Mang’eli and Bondeni where Cholera outbreak was reported last month.
Makau said his office along with the residents was ready to work closely with Mavoko sub- county's administration to ensure efficient and effective litter management for the residents’ best interests.
He said the influx of garbage in the area was due to high population and equally increased numbers of slums and slum dwellers who did not have proper solid wastes disposal infrastructure.
Makau however, cautioned Governor Alfred Mutua against playing politics with lives of the residents arguing it was time for development and not premature politics.
He addressed members of the public at the White House Dumping site in Mlolongo on Monday after launching the operation in Athi River town.