Kiambu and Kajiado counties warn Nairobi against garbage dumping

Kiambu Environment Executive Esther Njuguna with Kajiado Governor David Nkedienye at Kango’ki dumpsite in Thika yesterday. They said they would not sit and watch as their counties are littered with dirt. [PHOTO: KAMAU MAICHUHIE/STANDARD]

KIAMBU: The garbage crisis facing the county may be headed for the worst after Kiambu and Kajiado counties formed a united front to warn against dumping in their counties.

Kajiado Governor David Nkedienye and Kiambu Deputy Governor Gerald Githinji on Wednesday said dumping of garbage from their neighbouring county had become a thorn in their flesh, adding they would not take it anymore.

The two counties revealed they have put a team of enforcement officers in place to do surveillance and ensure no garbage from Nairobi is dumped in their territories.

Mr Nkedienye said Kitengela and Ngong towns were the hardest hit, adding they would not sit and watch as some parts of the county were littered with dirt. “We have decided to enforce stricter measures against dumping of garbage in our county. Trucks from Nairobi have been dumping garbage here at night,” said Nkedienye.

Kiambu Environment Executive Esther Njuguna said they have already arrested some drivers from Nairobi and impounded their trucks, which were found dumping without the requisite documents.

“We have taken quite a number of truck drivers and their assistants to court. We have our enforcement officers on the ground who are keeping surveillance to ensure no dumping occurs,” said Ms Njuguna.

SANITARY LANDFILL

The two were speaking during a fact-finding mission at the semi-aerobic sanitary landfill at Kango’ki dumpsite in Thika, whose construction is now complete. She said the Sh60 million landfill, which will be commissioned next month, will have capacity to absorb 20 per cent of the county’s garbage.

The Kajiado governor said they are also planning to set-up a similar landfill in order to deal with waste management.

There has been an outcry from Nairobi residents over heaps of uncollected garbage in numerous estates. A driver from Nairobi, who was arrested while dumping garbage in Ruiru, said they were being forced to do so since Dandora dumpsite was full.

Last week, Governor Kidero announced plans to spend Sh1 million daily for the next 45 days to address the garbage menace in the city.