KAKAMEGA MOVES TO FINALISE SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT LAW
The Department of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change has convened a stakeholders meeting to review, harmonise and finalise the Kakamega County Sustainable Waste Management Framework and proposed legislation; paving the way for its submission to the County Executive Committee and, subsequently, the County Assembly, in accordance with the law.
The framework seeks to establish a strong legal and regulatory foundation for modern waste management including waste reduction, segregation, recycling, recovery and safe disposal while aligning county practices with national environmental laws.
Officially opening the workshop, CECM for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Ms. Peninah Mukabane, thanked partners and stakeholders for driving the process, saying the legislation would create an enabling environment for investors, particularly in inorganic waste management, and attract more players into the waste value chain. She said its finalisation would help deliver better waste-management services to residents in line with H.E. Governor Fernandes Barasa’s Health, Water and sanitation agenda.
Chief Officer for Environment, CPA Bill Silingi, said the County has committed to developing a practical and enforceable framework that will turn waste management into an opportunity for environmental protection, resource recovery and economic development. CPA Silingi called for continued collaboration among stakeholders.
County Attorney, CS Vivian Mmbaka, who guided stakeholders through the draft, stressed the need for the proposed legislation to comply with the Constitution, national environmental laws and other relevant legal instruments. She urged stakeholders to harmonise the provisions and incorporate views from the consultative process before the Bill proceeds to the next legislative stages.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in Kakamega’s journey towards a cleaner, healthier and greener county. The meeting brought stakeholders and partners together with Practical Action’s project Manager, Mr Banon Wesonga, taking the lead.