Fresh hope for cleaner Kwale towns as county unveils new garbage trucks

By Shaban Omar

The mountains of uncollected garbage that have long scarred the beauty of Kwale County’s towns might soon be a thing of the past.

This follows the launch of two brand-new garbage collection trucks by the Kwale government.

For years, piles of waste have dotted streets in Diani, Kwale town, Lungalunga and Kinango, a sight that not only embarrassed residents but also threatened the county’s image as a top tourism destination.

The county has repeatedly come under criticism for poor waste management despite being the face of Kenya’s tourism economy.

In some instances, the stench from overflowing dumpsites would choke pedestrians and motorists along busy roads, raising health concerns among locals and visitors alike.

“We have been living with garbage all over the place, especially in Ukunda,” Mary Odhiambo said, a food vendor at Diani’s bustling market.

She said when it rained, the waste would spill to the road and it was not only disgusting but also bad for their businesses.

Alex Mwema, a local shopkeeper at Diani said they are happy that the new truck will supplement efforts in garbage collection.

He said sometimes Diani turns into an eyesore especially along Markaz and Diani police where uncollected garbage saty for days.

Mwema said in many cases they have been struggling to breathe and feared an outbreak of diseases.

“We are really happy that something is finally being done. There was poor investment in carbage collection,” he said.

He said tourists love Diani, but sometimes the garbage on the roadside would send the wrong impression.

Mwema noted that with the new trucks, visitors will find a cleaner and more welcoming town.

Fatuma Chigamba from Kinango said she often worried about her children playing near uncollected garbage.

She said the children don’t understand the danger, and sometimes tpick things from the dumps,” she said.

“If the county keeps its promise, our towns will finally be safe for our children,” she said.

She, however, called for consistency and accountability.

Chigamba said they want to see not only the deployment of new trucks but also a broader waste management plan that involves community awareness and recycling.

The officials said that the root problem of uncollected has been the over-reliance on a few ageing trucks that frequently broke down.

As Kwale’s municipalities grew rapidly, so did the waste, overwhelming the county’s capacity to keep up.

Speaking during the unveiling ceremony in Ukunda on Tuesday, Governor Fatuma Achani said the new investment signals her administration’s commitment to order and dignity.

“We want our towns to be clean, safe, and attractive for both residents and investors,” she said.

She added that the trucks will primarily serve Lunga-Lunga and Kinango but will also be dispatched to support garbage collection in Diani and among other areas in need.

Achani said the move is expected to boost public health, reduce pollution, and enhance the county’s appeal as a tourist hub.

Municipality board chairpersons welcomed the initiative, terming it a timely response to a long-standing challenge.

Chairperson of the Kinango Municipality board Moses Dzivo said the new trucks will end the menace of piled-up garbage that had tarnished the image of towns.

“For a long time, residents have been complaining about poor waste management. These trucks will ensure efficiency and help us create healthier, cleaner towns,” Dzivo said.