A pile of uncollected refuse near the Otonglo Waste Management Center. Traders at the center express concerns about the unbearable stench, citing significant health risks. They have warned they will withhold revenue payments to the Kisumu County Government unless the waste is removed promptly.|Photo Gilbert Achieng|
Traders at Otonglo Trading Center in Central Kisumu location, Kisumu West Constituency, Kisumu County, are demanding the immediate removal of heaps of stinking garbage that have gone uncollected for several weeks.
Speaking to The Nyanza Review at the trading center on Wednesday 4, December 2024, the disgruntled traders, led by the market chairperson who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, threatened to stop paying revenue to the County Government of Kisumu if the garbage is not removed immediately.
“The uncollected heaps of garbage are emitting a foul smell and have become a serious health hazard. As traders and taxpayers, we will have no choice but to stop paying revenue if the stinking garbage is not removed,” said the market chairperson.
The chairperson further lamented that, despite submitting their grievances to the relevant department of the county government, no meaningful action has been taken to address the issue. He also raised concerns about the lack of a proper drainage system to channel the overflowing rainwater into the nearby River Saka.
When contacted for comment on the traders’ complaints, Central Kisumu Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Hon. Zack Okoyo assured the Otonglo business community that he would do everything in his power to ensure the garbage is removed and transported to the dumpsite regularly.
“The delay in garbage removal has been caused by a lack of capacity, but as the area MCA, I will ensure the issue is resolved as a matter of urgency,” he said.
To enhance waste management in trading centers, the County Government of Kisumu, through the Department of Water, Environment, and Natural Resources, has initiated the establishment of three waste transfer stations in Nyando, Muhoroni, and Kisumu West sub-counties.
The Kisumu West station is located at Otonglo Trading Center. These waste transfer stations aim to facilitate waste segregation at the source and create employment opportunities for entrepreneurs in the waste management sector.
Additionally, the County Government has embarked on developing a Waste-to-Energy facility in the Achuodho Kasese area. The project is already underway, with plans to expand it into a fully operational waste-to-energy plant through a public-private partnership.
