Members of the Uasin Gishu County Assembly have expressed concerns of lack of litter bins within the streets of Eldoret Town.
The MCAs say most of the streets have no place where motorists and pedestrians can discard litter. This, the MCAs note has had a negative impact on the general cleaniless of the soon-to-be city.
The ward representatives now want the Department of Environment to ensure all the streets have the litter bins.
In a motion moved by Kaptagat MCA, Jonathan Ng’etich, the ward reps singled out Moi Street and Zion Mall parking lot as areas that have no litter bins.
Ng’etich who is also the Uasin Gishu County Assembly Water, Irrigation and Sanitation Commitee chairperson said it’s the constitutional mandate of the county to ensure the bins are availed to members of the public.
Right to clean environment
“Aware that Article 42 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 stipulates that every person has the right to clean and healthy environment, further aware that Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution explicitly provides that the County Governments shall be responsible for refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste disposal…” the MCA said on part of his motion.
“…concerned that most streets in Eldoret town have no litter bins, for example Moi Street from Ndupawa Hotel to fish market and Zion mall road which provides numerous parking slots, hence motorists and pedestrians have limited options when discarding litter. This Honorable House urges the County Government of Uasin Gishu through the department of Water, Environment, Natural Resources, Tourism and Wildlife Management to ensure litter bins have been erected along all streets on Eldoret town to enhance cleanliness,” he added.
The motion received overwhelming support from the MCAs present.
Currently, the Eldoret Municipality is in charge of solid waste management – a function transferred to it by the County Government.
The municipality had erected several litter bins across strategic places in Eldoret town but they were later removed.
It has been over two years since the bins were removed from the streets, leaving members of the public with nowhere to discard waste.
Eldoret Town Manager Tito Koiyet had a year ago revealed that they were forced to remove the litter bins from the streets after they were misused.
Koiyet said it was the duty of the building owners to ensure they provide a place where tenants can discard litter.
