KENYA – In a landmark move to address Kenya’s sanitation challenges, Uasin Gishu County has partnered with Ghana’s Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) to transform waste management and promote a healthier environment.
The partnership was formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Accra last week.
The collaboration aims to leverage Jospong Group’s expertise in waste management to tackle sanitation issues while creating job opportunities for Kenyan citizens.
Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim, Governor of Uasin Gishu County, expressed optimism about the partnership’s impact.
“We believe this collaboration will not only improve sanitation but also create employment opportunities for our people,” he said.
The partnership will focus on enhancing waste management systems, benefiting thousands through better public health and environmental sustainability. It also aims to foster knowledge sharing and capacity building between the two entities.
Jospong Group’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, led the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of innovative and sustainable solutions in addressing sanitation challenges.
During their visit to Ghana, the Uasin Gishu delegation explored Jospong Group’s facilities, gaining insights into best practices in waste management.
This initiative builds on previous interactions, including a June 2024 visit by a high-level Kenyan delegation comprising governors, city managers, and technical experts to Jospong Group’s facilities in Accra and Kumasi.
The delegation lauded JGC’s innovative approaches, particularly its waste and sanitation module under the Youth Employment Agency, which was developed in collaboration with the Ghanaian government.
The collaboration represents a significant step in addressing sanitation challenges in Kenya. By integrating Jospong Group’s proven solutions, Uasin Gishu County aims to create a cleaner, healthier future for its residents while strengthening ties between Kenya and Ghana through mutual knowledge exchange.
Strengthening waste management with strategic partnerships
Uasin Gishu County has been actively working to improve its waste management systems. In April, the county joined forces with the Kenya Extended Producer Responsibility Organization (KEPRO) to address improper solid waste disposal practices.
Speaking during a sensitization drive at Boma Inn Eldoret, KEPRO Director Richard Kainika highlighted the importance of the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022, a legislative framework aimed at promoting sustainable practices.
“This act was established to address the urgent need for sustainable waste management and to combat the severe pollution challenges facing our country,” Kainika stated. “It also fosters a circular economy to encourage green growth practices.”
The sensitization event brought together waste management stakeholders and product manufacturers to align with the implementation of the act.
Kainika emphasized its significance for producers, noting that it mandates extended producer responsibility (EPR) for the products they introduce into the market, even at the post-consumer stage.
“This initiative is crucial for waste management actors and producers in the county as it lays the groundwork for effective implementation of the Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022,” he added.
The partnership with KEPRO reflects Uasin Gishu County’s commitment to adopting sustainable and innovative waste management solutions, paving the way for a cleaner and greener future.
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