KAKAMEGA, Kenya – A Kenyan company is in talks with the government of Kakamega County to establish an organic waste processing plant in the region.
Regen Organics, a company that focuses on decarbonising the production of food, feed, and fuel through local manufacturing of regenerative products, intends to pitch a tent in Kakamega County.
Y News has established that the company leverages a circular economy approach by managing organic waste collection, particularly in fast-growing emerging market cities and converting it into valuable resources.
This ambitious initiative is a partnership between Practical Action in Kenya, Regen Organics and the County Government of Kakamega.
The three partners recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding under the Circular Economy for Household Organic Waste (CE4HOW) Project.
Why the new organic waste recycling plant
The new organic waste recycling plant, built by The Sanergy Collaborative (owners of Regen Organics), will process organic waste from households in Kakamega into fertiliser for sale to farmers in the county.
Practical Action in Kenya will work with households and informal waste workers to provide an adequate supply of organic waste to the plant.
“The MoU marks a significant milestone in our ongoing journey towards a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Kakamega County,” said Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa during the signing ceremony in a Kakamega hotel attended by county officials, informal waste workers and other partners.
An organic waste recycling plant processes organic materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, to convert them into valuable products like compost or biogas.
What an organic waste recycling plant does
Y News understands that this process involves methods such as anaerobic digestion or aerobic composting, which promote the breakdown of organic materials by microorganisms.
The resulting compost can enrich soil, while biogas can be a renewable energy source.
It’s essential to consider the local regulations and technologies used in these plants for effective implementation.
On his part, Practical Action in Kenya’s Head of Programmes Tim Mwangi said:
“We are excited about this project. It will create value from a waste stream with limited or no value. It will also reduce environmental pollution and carbon emissions while improving livelihoods and food security.”
Regen Organics Managing Director Michael Lwoyelo said they are ready to set sail.
“We are ready to go. This partnership will make Kakamega County a model in sustainable waste management in Kenya,” Lwoyelo explained.
