Ranguma says there’s no land to move Kachok dumpsite
The Kachok dumpsite in Kisumu. Governor Jack Ranguma has said plans to relocate it have been hampered by lack of alternative land for a landfill. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Ranguma has faced criticism from county leaders over his inaction to remove the dumpsite.
- He said the relocation had hit a snag after the French government opposed a proposed landfill in Muhoroni.
- Ranguma added that plans to relocate the dumpsite had been frustrated by lack of alternative land.
Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has defended his decision not to relocate the Kachok dumpsite, a day after Deputy President William Ruto said it is blocking the construction of a proposed stadium.
Mr Ranguma, who has faced criticism from county leaders over his failure to remove the dumpsite, on Monday said the relocation had hit a snag after the French government opposed a proposed landfill in Muhoroni due to distance.
The French are the sponsors of the clean-up that is under the Kisumu Urban Project and which seeks to, among other things, re-plan the town to a city status.
Governor Ranguma added that plans to relocate the dumpsite had been frustrated by lack of alternative land.
The Kachok dumpsite is located in the Kisumu town centre. Deputy President William Ruto says failure to move it has delayed plans to build a world-class stadium in Kisumu. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
MUHORONI TOO FAR
“The donors from France insisted that Muhoroni was too far for the relocation and it would be costly. And that is why we have had to go back to the drawing board to find alternative land,” said Mr Ranguma.
Mr Ruto had on Sunday said during an interview on Citizen TV that county officials' inaction was to blame for the delayed construction of the stadium promised in the run-up to the 2013 elections.
The Jubilee administration had pledged five new stadiums each in Nairobi, Eldoret, Mombasa, Nakuru and Garissa, all of which are yet to be built four years later.
The Kachok dumpsite, located next to Moi Stadium, Mega City Shopping Mall, and Kisumu National Polytechnic. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
LOCATED IN CBD
“We have a challenge in Kisumu because the county government has not relocated the dumping site, which is next to the [stadium site], and international requirements cannot allow you to have a dumping site side by side with a stadium, but as soon as that is relocated the process will be complete,” Mr Ruto said.
The Kachok dumpsite, situated within the toen centre, is not only an eyesore but also a stumbling block to a number of investments.
Investors say building houses on plots neighbouring the dumpsite, which has been there since the 1970s, is impossible.
The garbage also attracts birds, which pose a real danger to planes flying in and out of Kisumu.
Also affected is the adjacent multibillion-shilling Moi Stadium. Football Kenya Federation has threatened to ban its use if the filth is not removed.
