By Matilda Atieno
A new chapter in Kisumu’s journey towards a cleaner, healthier urban environment is underway as the County Department of Water, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, led by the CEC Member, Madam Judith Oluoch, convened a sensitization workshop for County Assembly members on the Kisumu County Sustainable Waste Management (KSWM) Policy & Legislative Proposal 2025.
The workshop was a striking display of inter-governmental collaboration as key figures from the County Assembly, including the Speaker, Hon. Elisha Oraro, and his Deputy, Hon. Nereah Okombo and members of the assembly. The workshop also saw the full engagement of the Water, Environment and Natural Resources Committee a body crucial to the bill’s passage, chaired by Hon. Samuel Dede.
For Kisumu, a city grappling with the pressures of rapid urbanization, the issue of waste management has long been a top priority. The proposed 2025 policy is the culmination of years of effort, including the successful decommissioning of the Kachok dumpsite and the establishment of six material recovery facilities (MRFs).
Madam Oluoch underscored the urgency of the proposed policy, explaining that it moves beyond mere waste collection to a comprehensive, circular economy model. “This is not just about cleaning up our streets,” she stated, “it’s about creating a sustainable system that turns waste into a valuable resource, creating jobs and stimulating our local economy.” She also emphasized that the policy seeks to propose a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model clear and transparent legal framework to ensure the public interest is protected.
The workshop was a vital opportunity for the County government to present the policy’s key ideas. The proposed bill aims to, Formalizing a “Waste-to-Wealth” Framework by laying the groundwork for investments in waste-to-energy conversion, recycling, and composting, paving the way for a new green industry in Kisumu, Empowering Communities in promoting the establishment of decentralized waste management systems at the ward level, giving residents and local entrepreneurs a direct stake in the process and Strengthening Public-Private Partnership with a clear and stable legal framework for collaboration with private waste management companies, which are critical to improving the county’s low waste collection rates.
In her closing remarks on behalf of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Okombo, emphasized the Assembly’s commitment to supporting legislation that benefits the people of Kisumu. “This is a policy that will touch every household and every business,” she remarked. “Our role as an Assembly is to scrutinize it thoroughly and ensure that it is a tool for progress, not just another piece of paper.”
The presence of the Water, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee further signaled a unified approach as Hon Dede noted that the sensitization program has set the stage for a well-informed and constructive debate in the assembly with the hope that by the end of the legislative process, Kisumu will not only have a cleaner environment but also a model for sustainable waste management that other counties can emulate.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with key partners including, the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) led by Mr. Vincent Ogati, Practical Action and Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HiH EA).
The proposed policy is a testament to the fact that when leaders from both the executive and legislative arms of government work together, even the biggest challenges can be transformed into opportunities for a brighter, cleaner future.