After Kisumu was ranked the cleanest city in the country, other counties are now seeking to learn how Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and his team have managed to clean up the city.
The Mombasa County Government, led by the Deputy Governor Dr. William Kingi, Energy, Environment and Solid Waste Management CeC Dr. Godfrey Nyongesa Nato, his Chief Officer Dr. Jeophita Mwajuma and Kisauni Sub-County Administrator John Kuti embarked on a learning tour of solid waste management on Monday.
Received Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Ochieng Owili, the team was able to visit the City Manager Doris Ombara, who took them through a presentation and the models the county has implemented to realize the much desired change.
They later visited Kachok dump site (now Prof Nyong’o Botanical Garden) and Kajulu where the waste is being relocated.
"The decommissioning of the Kachok dump site is a clear testimony that a green environment is within reach and also a sign of commitment of the County Government to deliver on its ten-point agenda," said Owili.
Ombara made reference to political good will, availability of funds and community participation as key pillars in achieving the desired success.
She said that the county government has employed over 300 youth as casual workers to help with cleaning the city and also identified environmental champions from different sectors to offer additional reinforcement.
Mombasa is grappling with solid waste management and Governor Ali Joho has set the end of July 2018 as the deadline for the decommissioning of the Kibarani dump site.
During the tour, Dr Kingi was full of praise for the efforts Kisumu has made made with regard to environmental management noting that it is the first city in the whole region to have successfully actualized the decommissioning of a dump site and that informed the visit.
"Why would we travel out of the country for something that our neighbour, Kisumu has successfully achieved? It is time that we realised that we can take responsibility and craft solutions to our own challenges," said Dr. Kingi.