Three counties of Meru, Embu and Tharaka-Nithi have partnered to establish a joint waste management and processing facility.
The initiative will be spearheaded by Mt Kenya East Development Authority, which will receive public funding from the three counties.
Governors Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka-Nithi), Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Isaac Mutuma (Meru) signed a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the framework for rolling out the ambitious project.
The plan is to aggregate waste from the three counties to provide sufficient volumes for a profitable investment in recycling. Among the products targeted are organic fertiliser, plastic pellets and power generation.
The three counties are riding on interest from a Ghanaian investor Jospong Group of Companies, which showcased its waste management technologies during the recent devolution conference.
During the Devolution conference held in Homa Bay, Jospong Group of Companies showcased a blueprint for 13 waste management parks serving 47 counties, targeting to process 16,000 tonnes of waste daily and creating up to 53,200 green jobs.
According to Governor Njuki, the three counties produce more than 1350 tonnes of organic and inorganic waste posing challenges to each of the devolved units.
Speaking at Kathwana in Tharaka-Nithi county, the three county bosses said the MOU signing will be followed by passing of regulations and policies to guide resources allocation and implementation.
They intend to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, and set up integrated waste management infrastructure across three counties.
“By uniting as Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Meru, we are creating the economies of scale necessary for a modern, integrated waste management system. This unified approach will allow us to share infrastructure, reduce operational costs, and implement comprehensive solutions that would be financially unviable for any single county. Our vision is to transition to a circular economy where waste becomes a valuable resource,” Njuki said.
He said the Mt Kenya East Development Authority will work with a private investor to construct modern waste transfer stations to optimize collection and logistics.
“We will leverage the 57 percent organic composition of our waste for large-scale compost production, directly supporting our agricultural sector and boosting food security. Furthermore, we will systematically rehabilitate existing dumpsites, eliminating pollution sources and restoring our land to its natural beauty,” he said.
Meru governor Isaac Mutuma said the counties will also establish material recovery facilities, waste processing plants, and implement modern collection and transportation systems that meet international standards.
“As counties, we have been grappling with management of solid waste in our towns. Currently, waste is seen as a menace to our people and the environment. However, we want to redefine waste as a resource. This will create green jobs for our youth and make products for propelling our economies,” Governor Mutuma said.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire said use of dumpsites was no longer sustainable due to growing population in the counties.
Governor Mbarire said the development partnership between the three counties was a first in the region as past engagements were political.
“As Mt Kenya East counties, we are now thinking regional because it may not be sustainable to work alone. We urge our county assemblies to support this transformational endeavor,” she said.
The Embu governor said once the regional waste management project is implemented, the three counties will explore partnerships in agroprocessing.
