Giotto dump site in Nakuru town.[Photo: Victor Wanaswa]The County Government of Nakuru in a joint initiative with the Green belt movement has begun an ambitious programme to improve solid waste management at the Giotto dump site in Nakuru town.
Contrary to the county government’s earlier pledge and expectations from residents, the devolved unit will not relocate the 27 acre dump site, which has been in use since 1974 due to unavailability of suitable land for its relocation.
In the collaboration, the County government and the Green belt movement will work with 23 registered private garbage collectors in a programme aimed at recycling waste into organic fertilizer for some 2,500 farmers to practice competitive organic farming.
The vast and congested dump site is situated atop Menengai hill, where storm water and garbage flow downstream Lake Nakuru National Park, located at the town’s low lying region.
During rainy spells, flood waters and garbage overrun the adjacent Nakuru-Kabarak-Eldama Ravine Road rendering commuting a nightmare.
County Director of Environment Sammy Ngige said there are plans to set buffer greenery foliage and earth embankment in front and around the dump site in the area that has over the years turned in to an eyesore.
Kimani says that the earth embankment around the site will prevent spillover of garbage to the road and adjacent residential areas.
The devolved unit’s Environment Department is also demarcating the site into portions where recyclable and biodegradable waste will be dumped separately.
Annually an average of 20 tons of garbage mainly consisting of carrier plastic bags is removed from the lake at a cost the director says is increasingly exorbitant.
The County government’s department of environment indicates that Nakuru town, the fourth largest urban Centre in Kenya generates approximated 250 tons of waste daily.
Before changes were introduced in 2006, the average daily collection rate in Nakuru town was less than 30%.
To resolve this challenge on domestic solid waste handling, the defunct Municipal Council of Nakuru (MCN) enacted 2006 Nakuru Environmental Management by-laws that paved the way for decentralized service delivery of domestic solid waste management.
New laws provide for decentralized service delivery for domestic waste collection, transportation and disposal at the Giotto dumpsite.
26 refuse management sites have been gazetted falling into three categories- Community Based Organizations, Private Waste Handlers and County government zones.
Mr Kimani said the devolved unit is committed to encouraging residents engage in recycling of garbage as a means of raising income.