By Monica Nashon
Simba Arati has urged residents to support ongoing efforts to improve cleanliness and accelerate development across Kisii County.
Arati said the county government has introduced new waste management systems to keep the town clean and free from pollution.
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Speaking during a public event in Kisii, the governor said garbage is now sorted before disposal, with diapers, metal materials, bottles and biodegradable waste collected separately using different trucks.
“We have brought more trailers that collect waste separately. Diapers are put in one truck, metals and bottles in another, while food waste is collected separately. Nyambera is now clean and does not smell like before,” said Arati.
The governor noted that the Nyambera dumpsite has significantly improved compared to previous years when poor waste disposal left the area with a persistent foul smell.
Arati revealed that the county partnered with a programme from the United Kingdom to acquire a waste recycling machine worth Ksh170 million after the county constructed a Ksh20 million facility to host the equipment.
“I removed garbage from town and asked our partners from the UK for a machine to separate waste. They told me to first build a structure worth Ksh20 million and they would provide a machine worth Ksh170 million. The machine is now here and recycling work will begin soon,” he added.
According to the governor, the recycling machine will help process waste efficiently, while biodegradable materials will also be handled separately.
He added that county enforcement officers have already been deployed to ensure residents do not litter within Kisii town.
On development, Arati said county workers are now receiving salaries on time, unlike in the past.
He added that the county has issued bursaries worth Ksh1.5 billion, purchased road construction tractors valued at Ksh1.2 billion and allocated Ksh250 million for milk programmes benefiting ECDE learners.
The governor further announced that a milk processing factory being constructed at a cost of Ksh200 million is nearing completion.
He said the factory will buy milk from local farmers, process it locally and supply it to school children from Grade One to Grade Six.
Arati also said healthcare services in the county have improved, noting that new measures have been introduced to curb theft of medicine in public hospitals.
He urged residents to prioritise development over politics and maintain peace across the county.
“Let us work first and politics can come later at the right time. We do not want anyone to bring violence or conflict in Kisii. We want our people to live in peace,” said Arati.
The governor also announced plans to install solar-powered street lights in Kisii town and across all the 75 markets in the county.
In addition, muddy markets will be rehabilitated using county tractors and construction materials to create a better working environment for traders.
Arati further disclosed that every ward will identify at least 30 youths to work in road cleaning, bush clearing and drainage maintenance under a county programme, with each earning Ksh10,000 per month.
