Leveraging on Date-Driven Approaches for Effective Waste Management in Nakuru County

Written by Annette Njoroge

The County Government of Nakuru County in collaboration with UN-HABITAT is creating a database that will aid Nakuru to effectively and sustainably manage waste for liveable Urban Centres according to the Urban and Cities Act (UACA 2010).

The two directorates conducted a data validation workshop on data collection on municipal solid waste management for Gilgil, Naivasha and Nakuru city municipalities.

This data was collected in December 2023 through the Water Wise Cities Tool(WaCT) by over twenty-seven research assistants who focused on urban waste volume through household waste collection.

County Executive Committee Member for Water and Environment Dr Nelson Maara noted that H. E Governor Susan Kihika is committed to protecting natural resources from pollution through sustainable value-added chain waste management systems. This is through recycling and reuse of waste materials for the creation of employment fostering improved living standards.

Chief officer for Housing and Urban Development Arch. Kamau Kuria noted that the data collected would help in developing framework and policies for Small scale Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) in the municipalities and four informal settlements: Tayari in Molo Sub-County, Mwisho wa Lami in Njoro Sub-County, Free Area in Kiamurogi in Nakuru Town East and London in Nakuru Town West.

Additionally, the data will guide the set up of assorted collection centres in all the Affordable Housing Schemes. This is in line with H. E Governor Susan Kihika’s Urban Regeneration Agenda.

The integration of the data-driven approach will ensure that waste management strategies are based on accurate and comprehensive information. This will further allow the identification of specific waste management needs in different municipalities and informal settlements ensuring targeted interventions.

Joining them was Director for Environment Grace Karanja, Mercy Achieng-UN, Solid Waste Management Officer, Hiroto Yanaka-Regional Office For Africa (RAOF), George Gachomba – County Public Health Officer, Benson Kipenju – Ag. Manager Gilgil, Gilgil Municipal Board Members among others.