Sustainable waste management can turn Kenya's crisis into jobs

Garbage dumped in Kagio town, Kirinyaga county. [File, Standard]

Waste management in Kenya has long been a thorn in the side of environmental sustainability, worsened by rapid population growth and changing lifestyles. The country generates an enormous amount of waste daily, but much of it is left to pile up in uncontrolled dumpsites, waterways, and open spaces, causing untold harm to ecosystems and public health.

Nonetheless, this challenge is not insurmountable-Kenya has the chance to turn the tide by weaving sustainable waste management practices into its economic framework.
Each Kenyan generates about half a kilogramme of waste every day, equating to 22,000 tonnes daily or around 8 million tonnes annually. Alarmingly, only 38 per cent of this waste is collected, with less than 10 per cent being recycled. The remainder is either illegally dumped, burnt in the open air, or left to rot in makeshift dumpsites resulting in widespread environmental degradation.