WASTE MANAGEMENT

Kisumu issues warning against illegal dumping at Kachok

City manager Abala Wanga said those caught will be dealt with firmly

In Summary
  • He said the county has new garbage collection points to ensure the city remains clean
  • Wanga spoke on Tuesday during a tree planting exercise in partnership with Avenue Health Care, Standard Chartered Bank and Kenya Forest Services
Kisumu City manager Abala Wanga during a tree planting exercise. He warned against dumping waste at the Kachok area, former dumpsite near Moi Stadium.
Kisumu City manager Abala Wanga during a tree planting exercise. He warned against dumping waste at the Kachok area, former dumpsite near Moi Stadium.
Image: MAURICE ALAL

@alalmaurice

Kisumu government has issued a warning to private garbage collectors who are still dumping garbage at the former dumpsite in Kachok, near Moi Stadium.

City manager Abala Wanga said those caught will be dealt with firmly.

Last year, the county relocated the dumpsite from Kachok to a new site in Kasese in Muhoroni.

The 207-acre site cost the county Sh34 million.

Wanga urged garbage collectors to take all the waste to Kasese.

He said the county has new garbage collection points to ensure the city remains clean.

Wanga spoke on Tuesday during a tree planting exercise in partnership with Avenue Health Care, Standard Chartered Bank and Kenya Forest Services.

“Garbage collectors must stop making excuses that the area is inaccessible and the roads impassable. The city management will not tolerate irresponsible individuals derailing the gains made,” he said.

“Private garbage collectors and those clogging drainages will face full force of the law if they continue with this.”

Wanga said the former dumpsite holds symbolic significance that will be protected at all cost.

"Kachok represents our collective commitment to turn challenges into opportunities and reclaim spaces that had been neglected and transform them into thriving ecosystems,” he said.

Wanga urged residents to work with the county in its bid to keep the city clean.

Avenue Healthcare CEO Imran Osman said they have started an initiative to preserve the environment.

He said the hospital has completely eliminated use of desflurane that contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer.

Osman said they have measures in place to reduce carbon dioxide used in theatres and significantly reduced use of Nitrous Oxide.

"We have also partnered with local communities to plant trees and create awareness on sustainable practices and conduct clean-up initiatives,” he said.

The hospital is also working to integrate renewable energy such as solar power their facilities.

This will not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels but also set a positive example for other healthcare providers.

Besides environmental initiatives, Avenue has also launched educational campaigns to empower its staff, patients and communities to make eco-conscious decisions.

The campaign is geared towards eliminating bottled dispenser bottles to minimise plastic waste in their hospitals.

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