Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi. [Photo|William Kingi]Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi on Friday issued a statement on the status of solid waste management in Mombasa following several queries."Recent media reports and social media posts by Mombasa residents and visitors have raised concern with regards to the status of the solid waste management system in the County.Whereas many express genuine concerns which the County Government is addressing, some are a political ploy playing on a matter of importance to the citizens.There is no correlation established between the recent disease outbreaks in the County with the status of garbage collection. This is not to diminish the importance of garbage collection but to discount wild assertions that the outbreaks of Dengue or the Chikungunya fevers is directly related to poor management of domestic waste. The two mosquito-borne viral fevers are related to the high incidence of particular types of mosquitoes hitherto unfamiliar in these parts. It is thought that climate variations have made the environment suitable for the breeding of these types of mosquitoes. It is irresponsible to associate the fevers with littering as many will fail to take appropriate prevention measures on the premise they live in clean neighborhoods.Similarly, Mombasa's enviable position as a national and regional hub means we are continually exposed to the risk of communicable diseases due to the sheer number of persons travelling into our County every day. Our disease surveillance units are continuously monitoring the situation and have managed to keep in check the various threats including cholera.Waste management should be a collective responsibility. Waste generators are now required to handle refuse responsibly. Unlicensed persons shall not be allowed to transport waste. Refuse must be disposed of at designated points in a manner that does not litter the environment. Any person acting in a contrary manner will face severe punishment. To highlight the gravity of the problem of illegal dumping and littering, 128 people were arrested on 11 January as we move to enforce the new act (Waste Management Act 2017).We hope to work with communities right from school level to engender a culture of environmental sensitivity and responsible waste handling to stop wanton littering particularly in the estates. We are also consulting with partners on possible waste recycling and usage with a rider that investors must chip in with the collection process.With the ban on plastic bags, many have come face to face with the uncomfortable spectacle of raw organic waste spilling out of collection points. This open disposal of waste presents a challenge to collection and we are working towards controlling spillage through bins and improvisation with bags. We welcome progressive ideas on how best to manage waste including the prospect of utilization of waste for productive purposes. The office of CEC Environment Dr. Nato is open to suggestions."

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