KISUMU, KENYA: Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has disassociated his office from a recently signed Sh7billion solid waste management Memorandum of Understanding deal.
While addressing the press in his office, Ranguma said his Government has not signed any deal of that nature.
His statement now contrasts with an event that took place on Thursday last week where the City Manager Doris Ombara presided over a function that saw the signing of the MOU.
The deal was signed between Kisumu County and two international companies; Global Waste to Energy (GW2E) and Integrated Basic Infrastructure Services (IBIS).
Ranguma said he is only aware of Kisumu Urban Project's allocation of Sh1.5 billion for the relocation of dump-site.
The US based company-GW2E is supposed to finance the project at approximately Sh2.5billion (30million dollars) while Netherlands's IBIS will contribute Sh4.5billion to the project.
He said they have only initiated an intended corporation concerning the solid waste menace but no deal has been signed.
"For now, all I can say is that we are in discussions with the Netherlands organisation that wanted to come in and clean Kisumu" said Ranguma.
Ombara said during the signing of the deal that construction of a mechanical processor was expected to take effect a month after they get ratification from the National Government.
"Officially, we expect the landfill to be ready fifteen months after ratification. Unlike the normal landfills, this one will be enclosed like in a factory set-up and nothing will go to waste because we will
produce bio-degradable fertilisers and energy," she said.
Kisumu County Bio-energy and Climate Change Chief Officer Lorna Omuodo who was also present during the signing said the project will create employment to about 59 people.
GW2E Vice President Adrian Oliveira said the waste will be collected and sorted in six transfer stations and that energy will be generated to help in households and industries around.
He said the project will not affect the environment negatively and asked residents of Kisumu to embrace it.
"This technology is an alternative to the normal land fill. It will be in an enclosed environment and the waste will be useful because it will be converted into energy," he said.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join