Kisumu County partners with Hand in Hand Eastern Africa to boost waste management

KENYA – The County Government of Kisumu has partnered strategically with Hand in Hand Eastern Africa to address waste management challenges and create economic opportunities through the Building Inclusive and Resilient Enterprises (BIRE) Project.

The initiative aims to enhance waste collection, strengthen the recycling value chain, and empower residents with skills to turn waste into viable business ventures.

Speaking at the project’s launch, Albert Wambugu, CEO of Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, highlighted the initiative’s role in fostering entrepreneurship while addressing environmental concerns. 

“This partnership will empower Kisumu residents with the skills to build sustainable enterprises in waste management, helping them increase their incomes and transform their lives,” Wambugu said. 

A game-changer for waste management and employment

The BIRE Project, funded by Hand in Hand Sweden and the Embassy of Sweden in Kenya, will run from 2024 to 2028, targeting 29,740 participants, of whom 80% will be women and 40% youth.

The project is designed to foster sustainable entrepreneurship within the waste management and circular economy sectors.

A key goal of the initiative is to establish 20,818 sustainable enterprises, equipping participants with the skills and resources needed to turn waste into viable business opportunities.

These businesses will focus on recycling, upcycling, and efficient waste disposal, creating a cleaner environment while generating economic value. 

In addition to fostering new enterprises, the project aims to increase beneficiaries’ incomes by over 100%, significantly improving livelihoods.

By providing training, mentorship, and financial support, participants are expected to see their daily earnings grow from US$2 to US$8.

This substantial income boost will enhance financial security, particularly for women and youth, the program’s majority target group.

Another crucial objective of the initiative is job creation. The project is set to generate 31,227 employment opportunities, offering stable work in waste collection, processing, and recycling.

By integrating waste management into economic activities, the program tackles urban sanitation challenges and contributes to long-term environmental sustainability and economic development.

Kisumu’s County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Judith Oluoch, welcomed the collaboration, emphasizing its broader impact on the city’s cleanliness and economic growth.

“This initiative will not only improve cleanliness in our markets but also equip Kisumu residents with essential skills to manage waste effectively and turn it into a source of livelihood,” she stated. 

The BIRE Project will benefit Kisumu and be implemented in 15 other counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Homa Bay.

Darius Mutwiri, Program Manager at Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, underscored the project’s transformative potential in scaling up sustainable waste management solutions across Kenya.

Senior county officials, including County Attorney Otieno Aluoka, representatives from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and key stakeholders from the county’s Water, Climate, and Natural Resources Department attended the launch event.

By integrating waste management with enterprise development, Kisumu County and Hand in Hand Eastern Africa set a precedent for sustainable urban development and economic empowerment.

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