Counties cant handle garbage collection Environment CS

The devolution of the waste management function is not working as counties lack the capacity. This is according to Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu, who has accused counties of poorly handling the management of refuse after it was transferred from the national government.

Wakhungu says counties are finding it difficult to identify dumpsites since no one wants garbage dumped in their neighborhoods, adding that counties have failed to meet National Environmental Management Authority requirements.

The CS has also added that the government is seeking an alternative dumpsite for Nairobi residents after Dandora reached its capacity ten years ago and the land identified in Ruai is situated on a flight path.

Wakhungu has also faulted Kenyans for not disposing of their garbage carefully to keep their environment clean and called for a change of the waste disposal culture.

Kapsabet residents recently cried foul over the stench caused by uncollected garbage in the town after cleaners downed their tools protesting unpaid salaries.

The residents, led by Nandi County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mr Samwel Seroney, said the town was no longer habitable as a result of excessive garbage and leaking sewages especially in the market.

They faulted the county government for failing to collect garbage from the market despite collecting revenue each day from business owners and town residents.

Meanwhile, the Nairobi County Government blamed the El Nino rains for the littered city streets.

According to City Hall officer in charge of solid waste management, Samuel Ndungu, the heavy rains have made the Dandora dumpsite inaccessible, leading to a breakdown of most garbage collection trucks.

Ndungu is now appealing to the National Youth Service to help in collection of garbage in the city due to lack of garbage collection trucks at City Hall.

At the same time members of the Eastleigh Business Community have written to City Hall protesting lack of service delivery including garbage collection in the area.

Eastleigh North Ward MCA Osman Ibrahim has supported the businessmen who are now saying they will not pay taxes to the Nairobi County Government in 2016 until the county government delivers services in the area.

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garbage collection environment cabinet secretary Judy Wakhungu

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