An Investigative Report on Waste Management Challenges in Lamu County
By Collins Muna, Mentee, Lamu County
The Silent Crisis
In the heart of Hindi ward, a silent but escalating health crisis is festering, leaving the local community suspended between fear and despair. What was originally envisioned as a structured, modern waste management system under the mandate of the Municipality of Lamu has devolved into a profound nightmare for residents and small-scale business owners alike.
Abandonment of the Kibokoni Dumping Site
The root of the ongoing crisis lies in the systematic abandonment of the designated public dumping site located at Kibokoni. Despite its designation as the official center for waste disposal for the area, the site has fallen into disuse. Municipal workers have increasingly bypassed this facility, citing its distance from the town center and perceived safety concerns as justification for their actions.
From Temporary Fix to Permanent Hazard
Consequent to the abandonment of the Kibokoni site, waste has begun accumulating in makeshift holding areas directly within the busy town center. These unhygienic piles have created a dire situation for local vendors who operate in their immediate proximity [cite: 6].
Fatuma, a long-term local vegetable vendor, describes the suffocating reality of her daily workspace:
“It is becoming impossible to breathe here. The waste is not just an eyesore; it is a breeding ground for disease. Customers avoid our stalls because of the stench, and we fear for the health of our children who play nearby. We are forced to work in filth every single day.”
In an attempt to manage the overflow, a local neighbor offered private land for waste collection. However, as Mzee Juma, another local vendor, explains, this was never a viable solution: “One of our neighbors generously offered their private space for collection because the town had nowhere else to dump. But this is not a public facility, and it was never designed to hold this much waste. It is a temporary fix that has become a permanent disaster.”
Community Call for Accountability
The community, led by the local action group “Action CBO,” is now calling on the Municipality of Lamu to take immediate, decisive responsibility. The residents demand a sustainable strategy that ensures waste is properly transported to the Kibokoni site as originally planned.
A spokesperson for Action CBO summarized the community’s stance against the cycle of neglect: “The Municipality knows that Kibokoni is the main dumping site, but they cite distance and safety as excuses for inaction. Because the workers refuse to travel to the designated site, they dump the town’s waste in our backyards. Their convenience is our sickness. It is time they fulfill their mandate and manage this waste safely, rather than dumping the burden on the community.”
Moving Forward
As the volume of refuse grows, so does the collective resolve of the residents. The people of Hindi ward are no longer willing to accept these dangerous health hazards as a standard of living. They are waiting for the Municipality of Lamu to stop seeking shortcuts and start providing the essential public health services they are entitled to by law.
