Council on the spot over Sh700m solid waste deal

Suleiman Mbatiah | Nation
Waste recyclers search for valuables at the condemned Gioto dumpsite on the Nakuru-Eldama Ravine Road. The council has been directed by Nema to re-locate the solid waste that has spilled over to the busy road.

What you need to know:

  • Nakuru civic body accused by French partner AFD of laxity in acquiring a new dumpsite

A civic authority is in a dilemma over a multimillion solid waste management project which recently flopped due to donor fatigue.

The French Government, through its Development Agency (AFD), allegedly withdrew some Sh700 million it had granted the Nakuru Municipal Council under a mutual agreement.

The Financing Agreement for Solid Waste Management has stalled for the past several months as the money was supposed to help relocated the condemned Gioto dumpsite.

It was reliably established that the council was currently negotiating with the Ministry of Local Government to seek alternative funds to jumpstart the project following hue and cry from residents of London and Kiamunyi estates.

The residents are opposed to poor management of waste on the Nakuru-Eldama Ravine highway.

The donour agency had, through the partnership, sought to fund the establishment of landfills to rehabilitate the massive waste at Gioto and other dumpsites.

The council is on the spot over its continued dumping of solid waste at the site despite environmental concerns by the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema).

Town Clerk Wilson Maroa said they had contracted a company to fence off the dumpsite to avoid its waste from spilling during heavy rains.

Dragging its feet

AFD accused the council of dragging its feet in the implementing the projects — with the contract having been signed in 2006. The civic authority is yet to identify an alternative site.

A spot check revealed that companies contracted by the council to collect refuse continue to dump it in undesignated areas near Gioto.

Most of the garbage is being dumped on the road reserve as the trucks are unable to access the main dumpsite, owing to a slippery surface.

Efforts by environmental experts to have the waste relocated, since it is a health hazard to residents and marine life at the Lake Nakuru National Park, have been fruitless.

An alternative site leased at the Lord Delamare estate was rejected by environmentalists on the grounds that it is a migratory route for birds at Lake Nakuru park.

Early this year, Nema asked the council to institute proper solid waste management or risk being subjected to legal action. Mayor Mohammed Suraw promised to comply with the orders. But months later, the situation has worsened.

The council was instructed in a notice issued by Rift Valley provincial director of environment Edward Masikha to scoop all the waste at the Gioto dumpsite.