Hand in Hand Eastern Africa and Kisumu county officials during the signing of the agreement/HANDOUTThe County Government of Kisumu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hand in Hand Eastern Africa to enhance waste management and strengthen its value chain.
Speaking at the launch of the Building Inclusive and Resilient Enterprises (BIRE) Project, Albert Wambugu, CEO of Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, emphasized the project's potential to create employment for women and youth while improving the environment.
"This partnership will empower Kisumu residents with the skills to build sustainable enterprises in waste management, helping them increase their incomes and transform their lives," Wambugu said.
The BIRE Project, funded by Hand in Hand Sweden and the Embassy of Sweden in Kenya, will run from 2024 to 2028, targeting 29,740 participants—80% women, 40% youth, and 20% men.
The initiative aims to establish 20,818 sustainable enterprises, boost beneficiaries' incomes by over 100%, and create 31,227 jobs within the solid waste management and circular economy sectors.
Kisumu County CEC for Water, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Judith Oluoch, welcomed the collaboration, saying: "This initiative will not only improve cleanliness in our markets but also equip Kisumu residents with essential skills to manage waste effectively and turn it into a source of livelihood."
Darius Makeri, Program Manager at Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, noted that the four-year project will be implemented in 15 counties, including Kisumu, Nairobi, Mombasa, Homa Bay, and others, aiming to increase daily incomes from $2 to $8.
The event was attended by Judith Oluoch, County Attorney Otieno Aluoka, officials from the County Government Water, Climate, and Natural Resources Department, representatives from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and community resource persons.
Hand in Hand Eastern Africa expressed enthusiasm about the journey ahead, stating: "Together, we are building a brighter, more resilient future!"
