Migori: An environmental expert in Migori County now wants the Migori County Government to adopt modern methods of waste management to address the increasing problem of garbage dumping in towns and markets. There is urgent need for the County leadership to come up with lasting solutions to problems facing solid waste management in urban centers, said the director of Kuria Data Link, Mr. Francis Gibai Marwa, who accuses the devolved unit of failing to clean the local environment.
According to Kenya News Agency, while addressing the press in Kehancha town, Mr. Marwa claimed that the Municipal Boards within the region were neglecting their duties, leading to heaps of garbage becoming a significant threat to the lives of urban dwellers. Consequently, these municipal bodies in their respective urban outfits must move to the next level and stop planning indefinitely on how to manage waste in all urban setups, he stressed.
The official urged responsible officials to act swiftly to clear the growing piles of garbage affecting marketplaces across the county. He criticized the county leadership for allegedly failing to provide quality services to taxpayers despite collecting millions of shillings in revenue daily from traders. ‘You have for a long time stuck to the old ways of collecting garbage, hence you have failed to manage the waste in urban setups,’ said Marwa.
According to the environmentalist, poor waste management has contributed significantly to environmental degradation in the region. Major causes of pollution include plastic bottle dumping, raw sewage disposal into rivers, and chemical waste from mining areas and oil pollution from local garages.
Mr. Marwa explained that these environmental challenges pose serious health and sanitation risks to residents living near dumping sites and polluted water sources. The unmanaged waste also affects business activities in markets and towns due to foul smells and unhygienic conditions. The Kuria Data Link Initiative, an environmental organization formed to combat environmental degradation in the region, is now advocating for urgent reforms in waste collection and disposal systems.
The organization wants the County government to introduce modern waste management mechanisms to improve efficiency in garbage collection, transportation, and disposal. Mr. Marwa advised the County Municipal boards to establish proper systems for safe waste disposal and replace illegal dumping sites with environmentally friendly disposal methods.
Environmental experts argue that adopting modern waste management technologies could help reduce pollution and improve public health in the county. The director noted that the County government should introduce separation of waste at sources, encouraging residents and traders to sort garbage into plastic, organic, glass, and metal for easier recycling.
The government can also invest in building recycling centers where plastic bottles, papers, and metal products can be recycled and reused, thus reducing the amount of waste dumped in open spaces. Proper disposal should replace all illegal dumping within the region with designated sanitary landfills that are well-managed and located away from residential areas and rivers.
Marwa said that using modern garbage collection trucks was paramount and that the municipal boards must invest in modern garbage trucks fitted with compactors to collect waste efficiently from markets and towns. Scheduled waste collection can prevent overflowing dumpsites, he advised.
There is also a need to introduce waste-to-energy technology, which requires the County to adopt modern technology that converts waste into energy such as biogas or electricity. Organic waste from markets can be processed into fuel or manure.
Members of the public must also undergo regular awareness campaigns to educate local residents and traders on proper waste disposal methods. This can be realized through media campaigns, schools, churches, and public meetings, adding that environmental conservation begins with public responsibility.
Mr. Marwa noted that to enforce environmental laws, County officials should strictly enforce laws against illegal dumping and environmental pollution. Individuals and businesses that dispose of waste irresponsibly should face severe penalties.
The growing concern over waste disposal in Migori County highlights the urgent need for effective environmental policies and modern garbage management systems. Stakeholders believe that with proper planning and commitment from the county government, towns and markets can become cleaner, safer, and more environmentally suitable for residents and traders alike.
