Kakamega inks deal for plant to turn organic waste into fertiliser

The Kakamega government has signed a tripartite agreement with Practical Action and Sanergy (Regen Organics) to establish a circular economy in domestic waste management.

The project will promote circular approaches to waste management by encouraging behavioural change in waste generation and disposal.

It will also provide opportunities for informal waste handlers and advocate enabling policies and market systems.

Practical Action-Kenya head of programmes Tim Mwangi said the circular economy model has significant potential to provide a sustainable solution to organic household waste management.

Sanergy, through its subsidiary Regen Organics, is building a new waste recycling plant in Kakamega to turn organic waste into fertiliser.

Mwangi said while the bulk of the plant’s raw materials will be farm waste, it will incorporate 4,000 tonnes of organic household waste annually from 15,000 homes in Kakamega.

“We are excited about this project because it aims to create the business case for a circular stream in Kakamega, inject resources into the waste economy by paying waste aggregation centres to supply high quality household organic waste for fertiliser production,” he said.

"Waste collectors will, in turn, offer household waste collection services at affordable prices, provided households separate their organic and inorganic waste.”

He said the project will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Mwangi said the project will create additional income for residents through carbon credit schemes and improve food security and soil health restoration through enhanced use of organic fertilisers that boost soil structure, moisture retention and farm yields as it contributes to all the 17 SDGs directly.

Mwangi said Practical Action is working with 16 counties by facilitating lasting and locally owned solutions for clean energy, sustainable agriculture, climate change and water, sanitation and waste management.

Governor Fernandes Barasa said the MoU ushers in the critical era of applying cutting-edge technology and innovation to recycle waste. He said the project will covert organic waste into fertiliser and protein animal feeds.

He said the new framework invites communities’ involvement for effective waste management.

“In addition to Regen’s Manufacturing Plant in Matawa, Mumias West, the proposed establishment of material recovery facilities through this collaboration will play a crucial role in modern waste management systems by focusing on the sorting, processing and recovery of recyclable materials from waste streams,” Barasa said.

“The facilities will lead to enhanced recycling efficiency, reduction of landfill use, resource conservation, job creation, environmental conservation as well as public awareness and participation.”

Barasa directed environment, water, natural resources and climate change executive Peninah Mukabana to ensure an appropriate model for organic waste collection is designed and identify location for setting up the first material recovery facility.

The governor also directed the lands department to identify existing government land that will be set aside for establishment of material recovery facilities in the three regions of the county.