Mt Kenya East Counties unite for a greener future with landmark waste management pact

KENYA – Mt Kenya East counties, Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi have signed an MoU to collectively better manage waste in the region.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the Meru County Governor’s Office by Governors Isaac Mutuma (Meru), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), and Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), establishes a united front to transform waste from a growing burden into a source of energy, innovation, and green economic opportunity.

Under the pact, the three counties will develop shared waste processing infrastructure to enhance sorting, recycling, and conversion of waste into clean energy.

The agreement envisions the establishment of regional processing hubs to optimize logistics, reduce carbon emissions, and support circular economy models that keep materials in productive use for longer.

Governor Mutuma hailed the partnership as a milestone in regional collaboration, saying, “Ignoring progress is no longer an option. Progress is achieved through vision, leadership, and collaboration. Meru County is fully committed to this partnership.”

The initiative is designed to tackle key waste hotspots, from bustling markets and urban centres to long-standing challenges like the Lake Nkunga dumping site, which has become a major environmental concern in Meru.

Beyond environmental benefits, the MoU prioritizes green job creation and youth empowerment, committing to train and support young people in waste management enterprises and renewable energy ventures.

Protection of Mt Kenya East’s natural beauty and biodiversity is central to the pact, with specific measures aimed at reducing pollution and safeguarding local ecosystems.

Environmental advocates have lauded the agreement as a practical, forward-thinking approach that replaces fragmented, county-by-county interventions with a cohesive, tri-county strategy rooted in sustainability and shared prosperity.

By pooling resources, expertise, and vision, Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi counties are charting a new course, one where waste becomes a driver of clean energy, innovation, and regional growth.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE