The Mombasa County Government has rejected a directive to close down Kibarani dumpsite after it was established that the dump site has become a health hazard to both human and marine life.
Governor Hassan Joho who toured the dump site at the Makupa causeway, Mombasa said the order to shut down the dumpsite should be ignored.
Governor Joho however said that the county government will set up a recycling plant at the site as part of a garbage management project.
The county government was directed by a task force to close down the dumpsite, saying it was causing air and sea pollution.
The task force comprises of officials from the National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Kenya Wildlife Service and National Land Commission.
Governor Joho said the county government will continue with its plan to set up a Sh10 billion recycling plant adding that the government is committed to better management of garbage in Kibarani, and other areas in the county.
“We are fully in charge of this dumpsite and we want to ensure a better environment. We will continue with the restoration programme and don’t listen to sideshows,” said Governor Joho.
The task force led by KMA Chairman Mwalimu Digore said that the dumpsite was posing a major environment threat especially to locals adding that direct dumping of waste into the Indian Ocean poisoned fish and other marine life.