Counties advised on sustainable waste management, Barasa tells Senate

 Environment CS Deborah at KFS Headquarters. April 22, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa on Tuesday told the Senate that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued advisories to all 47 counties and the Council of Governors on sustainable waste management.

Barasa, responding to questions from Senators during a plenary session, said counties have been directed to remove all waste from undesignated sites and submit zonation plans for waste collection and disposal. She added that all waste should be properly segregated, collected, and transported to designated facilities.

“The ministry has launched several waste management and monitoring strategies to prevent degradation and public health risks in residential areas with Nema licensing waste transporters as well as waste treatment and disposal facilities," said Barasa.

Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu had sought to know the ministry’s long-term strategies to mitigate public health risks and environmental degradation in residential areas.

Barasa explained that NEMA continues to license waste transporters, treatment, and disposal facilities, adding that these licenses come with strict monitoring requirements.

"The issued licences have conditions used to monitor the status of licensed facilities and transportation vehicles in order to maintain the set standards,” she said.

The ministry, she said, is also working with counties to implement guidelines for establishing material recovery facilities and promote technologies that help separate recyclables like plastics, metals, glass, and paper.

She noted that plastic waste remains a serious concern, prompting the enactment of the Environmental Management and Coordination (Control of Plastic Packaging Materials) Regulations, 2024.

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ inquired whether regulations for the Sustainable Waste Management Act had been tabled in Parliament, and questioned the government's plans to convert waste into energy, calling waste a “goldmine” in other jurisdictions.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka also raised concerns over mounting waste in urban centres like Nairobi, Nakuru, and Mombasa. Onyonka questioned why the government lacks a self-sustaining garbage management system, while private entities profit from the same.

Barasa assured the Senate that efforts are underway to streamline the sector, including measures to curb illegal dumping and boost hygiene in urban areas.