SPEECH by Hon Mutula Kilonzo Minister for Education

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

SPEECH BY THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, HON. MUTULA KILONZO, EGH, EBS, MCIArb, SC, MP DURING THE 2^ND CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON WASTE MANAGEMENT AT KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE ON 28^TH AUGUST, 2012 AT 2.00 P.M.

The Executive Director, The Clean Kenya Campaign

Representatives of the Public Service

Transformation Department PM’s Office

The National Environment Management Authority

Other Partners present

Ladies and Gentlemen

I feel delighted to be part of this Consultative Forum on Waste Management.   Poor waste management is a general problem in Kenya and probably worse in most of its urban centres.  In fact the concern of many countries in the world is on how to handle waste generated by their citizens.  I am convinced that due to the hazardous nature of waste, it is imperative that all institutions, organizations, partners and individual citizens take practical steps to enhance the process of separation of waste at source to ensure cleaner cities, towns, institutions as well as market centres in Kenya.

I am confident that this forum will provide relevant recommendation that will develop and sustain strategies that will promote in-depth information and knowledge in separation of waste from source as we work towards achieving clean towns by June 2013.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as the country recasts and develops the various social systems, education and training will be challenged to impart knowledge and skills to improve management of social systems that embrace Science, Technology and Innovation in order to, conserve, as well as exploit our environment for sustainable development.

As a Ministry, we emphasize on issues concerning youth, housing, gender and health specifically in regard to health and safety, water, sanitation and environment.  The focus is on inculcating a culture of basic hygiene, responsible water use as well as embracing modern technology in water extraction and delivery.  In addition, we aim at providing appropriate manpower training on environmental management as well as laying the basis for mindset change towards positive environmental behavior in-line with Vision 2030.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to point out that,  we need to critically look on how we collect, transport, process, dispose, manage and monitor our material waste to reduce their effect on health, the environment or aesthetics whether in solid, liquid, gaseous or radioactive form.  In some situations, we should practice resource recovery strategies while focusing on delaying the rate of consumption of our natural resources.

I am aware that the management of non-hazardous waste, both residential and institutional waste, in metropolis areas is usually the responsibility of Local Government Authorities.  In the same vein, the management of commercial and industrial waste is usually the responsibility of the generator subject to local, national or international controls.

As member of The Clean Kenya Campaign, my Ministry therefore supports all strategies and promotes varied methods of disposing waste such as landfill, incineration, recycling of waste depending on the convenience, appropriateness and compliance to environmental regulations.

It is important to underscore the significant contribution of the NEMA which undertakes routine inspection of all facilities and the environment to ensure compliance with environmental requirements.  Through their regular environmental audit most of our cities, towns and estates comply to promotion of a safe and healthy environment.

My Ministry will continue to provide support to this program particularly in encouraging educational institutions country-wide to work hand in hand with TCKC, NEMA and other stakeholders in order to bench mark the best practices in waste management for healthy habitation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I note here that this forum will encourage all participants to improve environmental efficiency.   This will involve use of resource recovery practices such as recycling materials like glass, food scraps, plant based papers and cardboard, plastics and metals.  For mixed solid waste, the need for separation at source and collection followed by reuse or recycling may necessitate that the Towns/City Councils charge households and industries for the volume of rubbish they produce.  It is also necessary to ensure that waste is not only collected by gunny bags, but also handled well during transportation to avoid spilling.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this country has been slow in adopting new technologies in waste management.  Let us borrow a leaf from countries such as Israel and Taipei. In Israel for instance, they use the BioArrow System, which takes trash directly from collection tracks and separates organic and inorganic materials through gravitational settling, screening and hydro-mechanical shredding.  This system is capable of sorting huge volumes of solid waste, salvaging recyclables and turning the rest into biogas and rich agricultural compost.  We need to emphasize the 3Rs, reduce, reuse and recycle in terms of waste minimization and maximize practical benefits from products and minimum amount of waste.

There is need to strengthen use of the “pollution pays principle”, that is, the polluting party pays for impact caused to the environment hence paying for appropriate disposal of the unrecoverable.

In conclusion, I wish to thank TCKC, NEMA, UNDP, HABITAT and the Government among other stakeholders, for their contribution in conserving the environment.

Thank you and May God Bless you