The County Assembly of Murang’a has adopted a report recommending improvements in the management of solid waste at the Karii dumpsite in the Kandundu area near Murang’a town.
This comes after the residents near the facility complained about the poor state of the dumpsite and suspected it had been the breeding ground for botflies, fearing that their health could be at risk.
In a report tabled before the house by the vice chairperson of the assembly’s committee for energy, environment, and natural resources, Gladys Wambui, on the status of the Karii dumpsite in Murang’a County, the MCAs expressed concern over the poor management of solid waste being deposited at the dumpsite and the need to improve the condition at the site.
“The committee undertook a site visit to the Karii dumpsite, where we engaged a casual worker who oversees the day-to-day operations of the dumpsite to get an insight into how waste is managed,” said Wambui, adding that they witnessed firsthand the flies, pungent smell, and smoke billowing from the dumpsite, which is a health hazard to the area residents.
Karii dumpsite has an area of 300.7 square kilometres and is located about 4 kilometres from Murang’a town. It serves a population of approximately 109,770 residents. The dumpsite also serves as the major dump site for waste collected in the entire county, while administratively being under the Murang’a municipality.
“The dumpsite is facing a lot of challenges, including lack of a perimeter wall, infestation by botflies posing health risks, and the deplorable state of roads accessing the site, among others,” she said, adding that the municipality had however conducted a fumigation exercise to control the issue of botflies and the bad smell emanating from the site.
Wambui observed that the local municipality has embarked on a project to improve the condition of the dumpsite, whose main activities include fencing the site, improving the access roads, building ablution and changing facilities for staff, controlled tipping, and lighting.
“The environment department should be allocated funds to enhance the implementation of pending projects at the Karii dumpsite for FY 2023–24,” she said, adding that the dumpsite should be rehabilitated for proper garbage disposal.
According to the report, the dumpsite handles all types of waste, including agricultural waste, which contributes 45 per cent of the total waste produced, domestic waste (40 per cent), and litter and office waste (15 per cent).
“On a daily basis, approximately 96 tonnes of waste are generated in the county, and the municipality has two tipper trucks that are available twice per week, Mondays and Fridays,” averred Wambui.
Kahumbu MCA Isaac Chefman, while supporting the motion, said agricultural waste, which contributes to 45 per cent of the total waste produced, can be turned into useful byproducts such as organic fertilisers.
“Agricultural waste, which mainly consists of banana leaves, cabbage, and tomatoes, among others, can be recycled into organic fertiliser useful to our farmers when it comes to providing nutrients to the crops, hence increasing food production,” said the chef.
Gaichanjiru Ward, MCA John Kamau Munyua, while adopting the motion, said the committee will work with CECM Environment and Natural Resources to ensure that the proposed recommendations on how to improve the Karii dumpsite are executed.
“We will work hand in hand with the CECM to ensure that the recommendations made in this report are implemented to enable proper waste management in our dumpsites,” said Munyua, a member of the energy, environment, and natural resources committee.
The MCAs recommended that modern technology be embraced; for example, incinerators should be installed to prevent air pollution through the emission of harmful gases into the surroundings.
Further, they recommended a sorting and recycling plant be established at the dumpsite for proper solid waste management.
The report further recommended that CECM Environment and Natural Resources conduct regular fumigation exercises at the dumpsite to mitigate the dilapidating condition posed by the botflies.
Further, the CECM should come up with a legal and policy framework for enhancing the Karii dumpsite into a revenue earner for private investors paying a fee for the disposal of their waste for the maintenance of the facility.
Muranga County has three dumping sites, namely Karii in the Kandundu area, Mukarakara in Kangema, and Gikono sanitary landfill in the Kimorori area, which is still under construction.
By Anita Omwenga and Purity Mugo
