NAIROBI, Kenya—The government, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, has ordered waste trucks to carry a National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)- issued tracking document and follow designated routes to disposal sites.
Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said this will ensure truck and waste traceability.
The National Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 requires households to separate their waste.
“Households receive three colour-coded bags: green for organic waste, blue for dry recyclables and red for hazardous items. Waste collection trucks pick up these separated items, transporting them to a Material Recovery Facility with two main chambers,” Duale said.
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The two main chambers include wet and dry waste, while hazardous red-bagged waste is sent for incineration.
https://twitter.com/HonAdenDuale/status/1856689448399859927
Regarding industrial pollution, Duale revealed that NEMA has identified 145 facilities along the Nairobi River basin that release untreated industrial waste due to malfunctioning Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP).
“Waste from informal settlements, which is primarily organic (less than 1% industrial), can be managed sustainably using bio-digesters,” said the CS.
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Kenya’s new policies aim to shift from a linear “use and dispose” economy to a circular economy where waste is viewed as a resource.
“By recycling and reusing materials, Kenya seeks to transform waste into wealth, driving sustainable development,” Duale said.
CS Duale said that over the years, informal settlements have been blamed for polluting Nairobi’s rivers due to their proximity.
“New information has emerged that informal settlements contribute partly 1% to the pollution of the rivers,” explained the CS.
According to Duale, the primary culprits are the 145 industries, Slaughterhouses, sewerage systems, and real estate without functioning ETPs (effluent treatment Plants), which contribute 90% of the pollution of our Rivers.
“Nema has mapped out all these non-compliant facilities, given them restoration orders, and all are candidates for closure until they fully comply,” said the CS.
