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Kenya: All Set for Kisumu Upgrade As New Clean-Up Project Launched
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The Nation (Nairobi)
13 May 2008
Posted to the web 13 May 2008
Walter Menya And Cosmas Butunyi
Nairobi
Dealing with tonnes of garbage is one of the daunting tasks facing the municipal council of Kisumu.
Besides being a major health hazard, the heaps of litter and rivulets from burst sewers that characterise the slum areas and even sections of the central business district, are a big eyesore.
The decomposing mounds of garbage emit a stench so strong that it repels the investments that the town seeks and keeps away prospective tourists.
However, all this is set to change with the launch of an ambitious clean-up project in Kisumu.
The project, a brainchild of the municipal council in conjunction with the Kisumu City Business District Association and several other local organisations, is aimed at repositioning and marketing the town as a major regional tourist and commercial attraction.
The private sector organisations in the project include the Millennium Cities Initiative, Umande Trust, a non-governmental organisation, with financial support from the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida).
Dubbed Taka en Pesa (waste is money), the campaign is part of the Kisumu Integrated Sustainable Waste Management Project (Kiswamp) that endeavours to change the town's filthy and repelling image.
Directly involved
Already, private sector organisations have pledged Sh193 million during the project's five-year period.
According to town clerk Rashid Mwakiwiwi, the project has adopted a public-private partnership to improve waste management and promote environmental conservation in the city.
Through the Taka en Pesa campaign, the partners in the clean-up have put in place a scheme where the residents will be directly involved in cleaning their surroundings.
Efficient management of waste, he adds, not only reduces pollution of the environment, but also saves money and resources.
The local community will be enlisted to help in the collection of garbage. The ambitious campaign is looking at the possibility of paying residents who take part in the clean-up. The payment will be based on the amount of garbage delivered at designated points.
During the campaign period, residents will take part in regular clean-up activities mainly targeting slum estates such as Obunga, Manyatta, Nyamasaria and Nyalenda.
In addition, they will be taken through a series of training programmes to change their perception on waste. "This will enable them to view waste as a resource from which they can make money," says the secretary of the Kisumu City Business District Association, Dr Carey Onyango.
However, Dr Onyango insists that the project is not just about creation of employment for Kisumu residents.
"The main aim of the project is the maintenance of a clean environment, which is in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)," he explains. The payment for the resident's services is only an incentive, he adds.
Furthermore, he notes, a clean city will attract investors and tourists, which will boost its economic growth.
It is envisaged that the attraction of more Foreign Direct Investment in the town will result in increased employment and economic growth, and hence accelerate progress towards achievement of the MDGs.
Millennium city
Kisumu was recognised as the first millennium city in the world. However, the dreams of the MDGs are yet to be realised, especially on public health and sanitation.
Dr Onyango says that NGOs and CBOs will champion the recycling of the waste.
The creation of wealth, however small, is good for the town, which has a large population of unemployed residents.
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Recent studies indicate that Kisumu has high levels of skilled and unskilled unemployment, estimated at 30 per cent. However, it is feared that this has since shot up, following the recent post-election violence.
During the mayhem, many individuals lost their jobs as several businesses and industries closed down after they were looted and vandalised by youths as emotions ran high over last year's disputed presidential election results.
"The interventions are directed at contributing towards a reduction in unemployment and boosting income generation," says Mr Mwakiwiwi.
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