New initiative launched to tackle plastic pollution in Kisumu

The two-year project will focus on rivers and other waste hotspots, including the Auji River, a key dumping ground threatening human and environmental health. 

Practical Action, a development organization, and partners will implement the project that is supported by Riviera Travel, a global travel agency based in the United Kingdom.

Through cleanup and behaviour change campaigns, the project will promote sustainable waste management practices, including household waste separation, material recovery and proper disposal. 

It will also empower informal waste workers by facilitating training, access to safety equipment and formation of cooperatives to champion better incomes, working conditions and rights. Additionally, it will link them to waste aggregators, traders, and processing plants.

The project will engage national and county governments, business leaders and other players through stakeholder forums to reduce the volume of plastics entering the waste system.

Kisumu City generates an estimated 252 tonnes of waste daily, of which 23 tonnes are plastics. Only 39% of all the waste is collected and 15% is recycled. 

That leaves nearly 5 tonnes of plastics leaking into the environment daily, including into Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest lake by area. Meanwhile, 65% of the city’s residents have no access to a waste service and only 21% of households separate their waste for recycling. 

“The initiative will contribute to Kisumu’s vision of becoming a sustainable city for its residents, especially those in low-income and underserved areas. We look forward to working with partners to make it a success,” said Tim Mwangi, Practical Action’s Head of Programmes in Kenya. 

Mr. Mwangi spoke when he unveiled the project to key waste sector stakeholders, including county government officials, waste pickers, aggregators and recyclers in Kisumu recently. 

Lucy Stevens, Practical Action’s Head of Urban Services, said the project puts people at the heart of waste management systems.

“Waste management is not just about the waste itself. It is about people impacted by it and people making a living out of it. I am thrilled we are launching this new project. It speaks of our ongoing commitment to working in partnership with the city and people of Kisumu for a better future,” she said via a video message during the launch. 

Francis Asuna, Kisumu’s Chief Officer for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change said the project aligns with the county’s priorities of promoting sustainable waste management and creating jobs. 

Kisumu’s Director of Environment and Natural Resources Ken K’Oyoo said the city generates more waste than it can manage and welcomes the support of partners. 

“The new initiative will take our waste management efforts a step forward. Kisumu County cannot achieve progress alone. We also need to educate Kisumu residents on the value of waste and how best to manage it through a circular economy approach,” he said.