County Government of Kisumu has acquired a high-capacity modern waste collection truck to strengthen organic waste management efforts.
The truck, launched at City Hall, is fitted with a 290-horsepower engine and a safety cabin to limit human contact with garbage.
It can collect up to 15 tonnes of waste, equivalent to four conventional truckloads, and compresses it onboard to prevent road littering during transport.
Speaking during the launch, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o said the move marks a critical shift in the city’s waste management approach and would drastically reduce garbage collection operational costs.
“One of the biggest problems we face with waste collection is that the way we collect it does not ensure full coverage. Secondly, the manner in which we dispose off waste doesn’t guarantee safety, it often harms surrounding communities,” said Prof. Nyong’o.
The new truck, he said, was set to resolve the menace by collecting and compacting organic waste for easier and safer disposal.
ALSO READ;
Treasury fast-tracks KPC stake sale to raise Ksh100 billion amid budget crisis
This, he added would enable waste industry players to access compressed waste for other uses.
“For example, compacted waste can be turned into manure or even used in power generation. Some companies are already using it to fuel power engines,” he said.
The Governor said the initiative would not only improve service delivery but also promote a circular economy.
“We’re facilitating waste collectors to operate more efficiently and profitably. This truck brings us closer to our communities, not just in keeping the city clean but in making waste a resource that others can use across the region,” he said.
Environment County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Judith Oluoch noted that 65 percent of waste generated in Kisumu County is organic and called on residents to separate waste at the household level.
ALSO READ;
Gov’t targets Narok, Bomet, Kericho and Nandi counties in coffee revival campaign
She said the truck would strictly handle organic waste adding that six material recovery facilities have been established across the county to collect and sort plastic waste.
“For this system to work, separation must start at the source. That is why we are asking Kisumu residents to sort out waste at the household level,” she said.
Oluoch said the Department of Environment would work with the City Management, Department of Trade, and informal waste sector actors especially in markets to ensure smooth implementation.
The county hopes the new truck will also support green enterprises such as organic fertilizer production and black soldier fly farming, both of which rely on clean organic inputs.
By Fredrick Odiero
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
