A number of recovering drug addicts in Malindi have been accused of disposing of medical waste in public spaces.
The addicts are allegedly disposing of syringes and other medical wastes carelessly.
This emerged during the Malindi monthly clean-up organised by the Progress Welfare Association of Malindi.
The exercise brought together the National Police Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Malindi municipality, Kilifi county and tourism partners.
The cleaning which began at the Malindi Law Courts, covered Malindi Sub County Hospital and the Coral Key junction.
Recovering addicts on the spot are the ones on the Methadone programme, pitching camp outside the Malindi Hospital perimeter wall.
Kilifi Health executive Peter Mwarogo, who took part in the monthly clean-up, said the medical wastes are a major challenge.
He said the county is sensitising the recovering addicts on how to properly dispose of the syringes which are a threat to the public.
“We are trying to help them recover from addiction and while at it, we are also making sure that the wastes are cleaned as fast as possible,”Mwarogo said.
He said he will also ensure that the hospital does not allow careless dumping of medical waste.
Mwarogo praised the partners for their efforts in cleaning up the town, saying it is the only way to attract more tourists.
“When we leave the town dirty, tourists will not come. That is why we are taking the clean-up seriously,” he said.
PWAM chairperson Kate Mwikali said the cleanup brought different groups together including those from the Omar project.
She said they collected more medical and bio wastes outside the hospital than in other areas.
Mwikali asked the municipality to ensure they remove all illegal structures and plant trees beside the walls.
“The wastes are dangerous. We had children today and had to keep them away from harm's way by making sure that they do not get near the medical wastes,” she said.
Mwikali said many drug users stay near the hospital and collect plastics for a living.
She said the authorities should set up segregation bins and include biohazard bins to protect the public.
Malindi Green and Blue chairperson Effue Opiyo said their focus was on pollution and sensitising the public on the dangers of pollution.
“On this road, we are focusing on the medical wastes and also the responsibility of the hospital on the incineration of medical wastes and how they take care of their wastes and if their incinerator is placed in the right place,” she said.
