Kitale launches innovative ‘Waste to Wealth’ project to support youth entrepreneurship

KENYA – The Kitale Municipality Board has launched an ambitious new initiative dubbed “Waste to Wealth,” aimed at turning the town’s daily waste into valuable resources while creating sustainable job opportunities—particularly for its growing youth population.

The program seeks to convert up to 150 tonnes of waste generated each day into marketable products such as organic fertilizers, construction tiles, decorative household items, and oil-based materials.

“This is not just another clean-up campaign. It’s a strategic shift—an environmental and economic revolution,” said Irene Nang’ole, chairperson of the Municipality Board, during a town-wide cleaning drive.

“We are redefining waste and turning it into opportunities, especially for our young people.”

Addressing environmental and employment challenges

Kitale’s rapid urban growth has overwhelmed its waste management systems. Currently, only 70 of the 150 tonnes of daily waste are collected, leaving the rest to pile up in open spaces, clog drainage systems, and contaminate local water sources.

The “Waste to Wealth” program has a dual mission: to restore environmental health and to generate sustainable livelihoods. Nang’ole emphasized that youth unemployment is among the town’s most urgent issues.

“Through this program, we are training and equipping young people not just to recycle, but to innovate, manufacture, and sell products,” she said.

To achieve this, the municipality is partnering with local technical institutes, environmental experts, and small business owners to set up decentralized recycling hubs.

These centres will serve as both production facilities and hands-on training grounds for youth to learn recycling techniques, product design, and marketing strategies.

“This is about building a circular economy—one where waste is no longer a symbol of decay, but of untapped potential,” Nang’ole added.

Support and skepticism

Experts have hailed the project as timely. Ronald Masindano, a disaster risk management specialist, underscored the public health risks of Kitale’s waste problem.

“Our drainage systems are overwhelmed, largely due to non-biodegradable waste,” he said. “This increases the risk of urban flooding and disease outbreaks. If we don’t act now, the consequences will be catastrophic.”

Masindano also noted the broader economic potential: carbon credit opportunities, reduced health expenditures, and job creation. “The environmental dividends could be transformative,” he said.

Local residents, especially in underserved areas like Kipsongo, have welcomed the initiative. “We’ve watched garbage pile up while our youth remain jobless,” said Michael Eng’olan, a resident. “If this program is sincere and includes us, it could be a game changer.”

However, environmental advocates are urging the municipality to back its plans with strong regulation and sustained public education.

Leah Wekesa, a Kitale-based environmentalist, warned, “This initiative will only succeed if there’s strict enforcement of waste separation at the household level and ongoing community engagement. Otherwise, we risk creating a system that collapses under its own weight.”

In response, Nang’ole said the board is drafting policy guidelines and enforcement mechanisms, including mandatory waste sorting and incentives for households and businesses that comply.

“We’re not just launching a project—we’re nurturing a culture. A clean, green Kitale is within reach, but it requires collective responsibility,” she said.

The “Waste to Wealth” program will be rolled out in phases beginning in July. The first phase will focus on community education and training, with initial recycling centres expected to be operational by year-end.

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