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Kisii’s Waste Management Crisis: Municipality Struggles Amid Growing Garbage Load

Written by Nyachae Brian on August 4, 2025

Garbage is a daily challenge faced by municipal governments countrywide. In the wake of the need to conserve the environment, waste management is a critical component, especially considering that consumption and disposal happen continuously.

Kisii County has grappled with waste disposal for a long time. This follows the closure of the Nyambera dumpsite due to its close proximity to the town. The site is currently under construction, transitioning into a public park.

The town is characterized by an increasing population and expanding business activities. According to Mr. Afuna Ondara, the Manager of Kisii Municipality, the municipality collects 220 tonnes of garbage daily.

There are various designated holding centers where residents are expected to dispose waste before it is collected by municipal trucks.

“We have now instructed that households should segregate their garbage into organic, inorganic, and non-recyclable categories before dumping it at holding centers,” says Afuna.

Types of Waste and Their Treatment

Organic waste includes substances like food leftovers, animal waste, untreated paper, and garden waste. It is biodegradable. At the collection centers, it is either turned into manure or used for biogas production.
Inorganic waste includes materials such as plastics, electronics, glass bottles, and metals. These are either reused or repurposed.
Non-recyclable waste consists of materials that cannot be recycled or reused due to contamination or the nature of the material used. This includes used diapers, broken ceramics, and certain plastics. Such waste ends up in landfills or requires incineration or specialized disposal methods.

ATC garbage collection center

However, the municipal manager notes that many residents hardly segregate waste as advised.

“The majority of our residents don’t group the waste as advised due to ignorance or deviance. Each household is supposed to have three dustbins,” explains Afuna.

He further states that some individuals have resorted to using street children to dispose waste into rivers and sewer lines—practices that lead to severe water and air pollution. Some households even dispose their waste at night to avoid scrutiny by authorities.

The municipality currently operates with two tractors and two compactors to handle waste. According to Afuna, collection from the holding sites takes place daily between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Where is the Waste Taken?

Currently, all collected waste is transported to the Agricultural Training Center (ATC), where a Ksh 15 million Material Recovery Facility (MRF) is under construction by a private investor.

This area replaced the Nyambera dumpsite, which had become a public nuisance due to its location within the town.

Improvised Jiko at ATC

At ATC, two improvised jikos serve as incinerators for burning non-recyclable waste. However, this method still poses environmental risks due to harmful emissions.

Stakeholder Involvement

Other stakeholders, including women and youth groups, help further segregate the waste at the ATC.

Private individuals and organizations play a vital role in supplementing the county government’s waste management efforts. While the municipality handles close to 52% of the garbage, private actors come in handy to manage the remaining portion.