Meru town Municipality has assured residents that structured systems are in place to maintain cleanliness across the town, including daily street cleaning, scheduled market sanitation, and organized garbage collection routes, amid public concern over waste management in Meru town.
Speaking at the Meru Municipal offices in Meru town, Municipal Manager Dr. Jotham Kirimi said sanitation operations are ongoing, noting that occasional delays in garbage collection should not be mistaken for failure by the municipality.
He explained that market cleaning is deliberately carried out on non-market days to allow sanitation teams to work effectively without disrupting trading activities.
“I want to assure Meru residents that all our markets have specific market days, and on non-market days, that is when we clean and transport garbage to the Nkunga disposal site,” said Jotham.
Dr. Jotham further noted that sanitation efforts extend beyond markets, with streets and residential estates cleaned daily across the town.
He said cleaning teams begin work at 7:00 a.m. and operate until around 9:00 a.m., depending on the area and workload.
He emphasized that the garbage collection process is systematic but time-bound noting that trucks cannot reach all areas simultaneously.
Jotham said that residents should allow sufficient time for the collection cycle to be completed before concluding that garbage has not been collected.
In addition Dr. Jotham also reminded residents and business owners operating within Meru town that the law requires them to have proper garbage bins at their premises.
He said bins are necessary to ensure waste is collected efficiently and disposed of safely.
“The law requires anyone running a business or living within the town to have a garbage bin so that when collection trucks arrive, waste can be properly handled and disposed of,” he said.
However, he expressed concern that some residents have failed to comply with this requirement, resulting in waste being dumped along roadsides and other undesignated areas.
He said the municipality plans to intensify civic education to help residents understand the importance of proper waste disposal and adherence to sanitation laws.
He also appealed for patience from residents during garbage collection hours, criticizing the trend of taking and sharing photos of garbage placed at designated collection points before trucks arrive.
He said such actions create a misleading impression of municipal inaction.
“I ask residents for patience and support because garbage collection follows a schedule. Taking photos of garbage placed at designated collection points before trucks arrive creates a false impression, yet that is where the waste should be awaiting collection,” he said.
Nonethess, Jotham warned traders against displaying merchandise on verandahs, saying it obstructs pedestrian movement and violates municipal regulations.
He reminded traders that the municipality issued a notice on December 16, 2025, directing them to stop operating from verandahs noting that enforcement has now begun following continued non-compliance.
“We issued a notice on December 16, 2025, which was initially set to take effect on December 22.However, traders requested additional time until the first week of this year, and we granted it. Despite this, traders have continued to occupy verandahs with their merchandise, interfering with the smooth movement of pedestrians. That is why we have begun implementing the notice,” said Jotham.
Jotham urged traders and residents to cooperate with the municipality, noting that maintaining cleanliness and order in Meru town is a shared responsibility.
