Governor Simba Arati of Kisii County, Kenya, has been recognized by UN-Habitat for transforming the Nyambera dumpsite into a public green space. The World Cleanup National Event, held in Kisii County, was attended by UN-Habitat Director Shake Maitumbi. The event's theme was "From Clean Plates to Clean Cities." Arati expressed gratitude to UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Environment for selecting Kisii County to host the celebrations.
Arati highlighted the urgent threat posed by poor waste management in African cities, citing recent disasters in Uganda and Guinea as cautionary examples. In August 2024, the Kiteezi landfill in Uganda collapsed, killing 35 people, while in Conakry, Guinea, heavy rains brought down the main landfill, claiming 36 lives. Arati emphasized that these disasters were preventable and resulted from ignoring warnings and allowing waste to accumulate.
The conversion of the Nyambera dumpsite into Etaya Governor's Park was not without challenges. The county government faced resistance from communities in proposed relocation sites, but eventually shifted its approach to demonstrate the economic value of the waste. Working with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the dumpsite was decommissioned and replaced with a recreational space.
Kisii County generates approximately 200 tonnes of waste per day, with 60% being organic and potentially recoverable. The county's population is projected to reach 500,000 by 2037, up from 200,000 in 2019, with an additional 150,000 people entering the town daily for trade and services. To address this, the county partnered with the UK Government to establish a Materials Recovery Facility.
The Materials Recovery Facility, located at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre, processes up to 50 tonnes of waste daily and features a Black Soldier Fly unit that converts 10 tonnes of organic waste into animal feed and fertilizer daily. The facility also includes a weighbridge to enable data-driven waste management policy. Arati stated that this initiative reflects the county's commitment to implementing the Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022.
The Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022 focuses on source segregation and a shift towards a circular economy. Arati's administration has taken prompt action to prevent a similar fate to Kisii, refusing to allow the county to become another statistic for Africa. The governor's efforts aim to promote sustainable waste management practices and create a cleaner, healthier environment for the county's residents.
The recognition by UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Environment is a testament to Arati's commitment to transforming Kisii County into a model for sustainable waste management. The Etaya Governor's Park serves as a recreational space where residents can walk, rest, and breathe clean air, demonstrating the potential for dumpsites to be converted into valuable community assets.
Key points
- Governor Simba Arati received an accolade from UN-Habitat for transforming the Nyambera dumpsite into Etaya Governor's Park.
- African cities face a growing waste crisis, with recent landfill collapses in Uganda and Guinea serving as cautionary examples.
- Kisii County has established a Materials Recovery Facility to process up to 50 tonnes of waste daily and promote sustainable waste management practices.
