Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, has received a blow after the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) opposed his plans to relocate Kibarani dumpsite to Mwakirunge.
Joho issued an order directing the county secretary to implement it in three-months time.
However, KCAA claims Mwakirunge site has a navigation aid that planes use when approaching to land at the Moi International Airport.
According to the Authority's Director-General Gilbert Kibe, birds which scavenge at the dumpsite are dangerous to plane take-offs and landing.
“KCAA does not support the dumpsite relocation to Mwakirunge as the site has a navigation aid that planes fly over low on final approach to land at Moi International Airport,” Kibe said early this month (July).
Responding to KCAA's statement, Environment CeC Godfrey Nato said the county government would go ahead with the governor's order and relocate the dumpsite to Mwakirunge.
Speaking as he flagged off a fleet of 12 new garbage collection trucks at the Treasury Square, Joho ordered Health, Trade and Tourism, and Environment CeCs to make sure the dumpsite is closed in 60 days.
“I don’t know what mechanism you will put in place, but I want that dumpsite closed by end of June. No more dumping of waste in Kibarani," Joho said on Friday, April 20.
Kibarani dumpsite which is located near Makupa creek on your way to CBD from Changamwe roundabout has been an eyesore to the residents and visitors entering and leaving the coastal city.
Joho's move came after criticism that the dumpsite was harmful to sea creatures and residents of Mombasa. The County government also closed down other illegal dumpsites."
I have given a directive to the Department of Environment, Energy, and Solid Waste Management to close down the Kibarani dumpsite in 60 days," he said.