Report on the working visit to Nakuru November 2011 Heli Jutila

The North-South Local Government Co-operation Programme / 2011-2013
The Municipalities of Hämeenlinna and Nakuru
Report on the working visit to Nakuru
November 2011
Heli Jutila
Hämeenlinnan ympäristöjulkaisuja 19
Environmental Publications of Hämeenlinna 19
2011
Photographs are Heli Jutila’s except the once with named author.
Front cover page: Up and left: A running rhino at Lake the Nakuru National Park 13.11.2011.
Up and right: A sedimentation pool in the old sewage plant of Nakuru 15.11.2011.
Down and left: A woman and Marabou storks at the Gyoto dumping site, Nakuru 16.11.2011.
Down and right: Mau forest near the Sururu rehabilitation 17.11.2011.
This page: Aloe vera in the shore of Lake Elementaita 19.11.2011.
Jutila Heli 2011: Report on the working visit to Nakuru on November 2011. The North-South
Local Government Co-operation Programme / 2011-2013. The Municipalities of Hämeenlinna
and Nakuru. - Hämeenlinnan ympäristöjulkaisuja 19 [Environmental Publications of
Hämeenlinna 19]. 21 p.
ISBN 978-952-5962-09-3
ISSN-L 1798-0704
ISSN 1798-0704 (painettu)
ISSN 1798-0712 (verkkojulkaisu)
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Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 3 1. DAY: Saturday 12th of November 2011 .................................................................................... 4 2. DAY: Sunday 13th of November 2011....................................................................................... 6 3. DAY: Monday 14th of November 2011 ..................................................................................... 8 4. DAY: Tuesday 14th of November 2011 ................................................................................... 12 5. DAY: Wednesday 14th of November 2011 ............................................................................... 14 6. DAY: Thursday 17th of November 2011 ................................................................................. 18 7. DAY: Friday 18th of November 2011 ...................................................................................... 19 8. DAY: Saturday 19th of November 2011 .................................................................................. 20 Thanks .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Photo 1. Up: In the left cormorants and pink-backed pelicans and in the right Acacia nilotica twig
with flowers. Down: In the left zebras in the Acacia xanthophloea forest and in the right
giraffes. All in the Lake Nakuru National Park 13.11.2011.
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Abstract
The journey of two Finnish delegates, Heli Jutila and Sirpa Viholainen, from Hämeenlinna to
Nakuru in the North-South co-operation programme was made on 11.11.-20.11.2011. The trip
focused mainly on the activities of the Environment component.
From Nairobi airport we drove after coffee to Nairobi Animal Orphanage. On the way to Nakuru
we stopped at the Rift Valley view point and visited also the shore of Lake Naivasha by the Sopa
Lodge. In the Sunday morning we met Sirpa’s godson and visited the Arab Moi children’s home
in Nakuru. In the afternoon we made a safari drive to the Lake Nakuru National Park.
On Monday after the formal reception by the Mayor we heard presentations about the mandate
and duties of the Department of Environment in the Municipal Council of Nakuru. On Tuesday
the morning program included visiting parks, tree nurseries and Club road, for which a plan for
environmentally friendly street had been planned in the project. In the afternoon we visited two
municipal sewage plants and one industrial waste water treatment plant.
On Wednesday we learned, how waste management is actually operating in Nakuru. We started
from the market, where waste was accumulating. In the municipal truck depot several vehicles
were left un-operable due to lack of spares. Sorting of waste has started in Nakuru in Mama
Ngina settlement area. Gyoto dumping site has been formed in a steep valley, next to the prison
area. Marabou storks, pigs and people were all digging to find something useful from the
dumping site. Women's polythene group, Minjore, a youth group and a men's group are working
on the dumping site. After lunch, we visited NEMA, National Environmental Management
Authority in Nakuru, whose main tasks is to follow the implementation of Environmental
Management and Co-ordination Act. Nema takes care of the enforcement of national
environmental regulations and publishes annually Kenya’s state of environment report. Next we
visited Ali Noor, a CBO, which has recycled plastic for six years. Incoming used plastic material
is crushed, washed, grinded and condensed. The problem has been that there is not a constant
demand for the produced material and that is why the company is going to refining business.
On Thursday in the Colleague to colleague awareness creation- energy and water saving
workshop I had a presentation about Sustainable use of energy and water. In the end of the
workshop representatives from nine departments were appointed to the energy and water saving
task force. Energy and water saving stickers were delivered to participants to be spread further.
In the afternoon we visited the Mau forest and specifically Sururu rehabilitation area.
On Friday morning we met the Municipal Education Component actors, who presented the
progress report of education component. The actions implemented included gender
mainstreaming workshop, material development workshop, localized health curriculum manual
use workshop and workshop for environmental patrons. Letter writing program has been
continued with the Finnish team. A meeting has been held with Racetrack, Maman Ngina and
Lenana to introduce the project and kitchen garden and the composting activity and they have
been interested to continue with it. Water tanks for watering the garden are being procured in
near future.
On Saturday we had a chance to visit Menangai sightseeing point and Lake Elementaita before
going to the Nairobi airport.
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1. DAY: Saturday 12th of November 2011
I flew with Environmental Inspector Sirpa Viholainen from Helsinki-Vantaa through Amsterdam
to Nairobi, where the night flight landed at 7:17 on 12.11.2011. We were welcomed by the
Controller Jane Mbugi and Cleansing Superintendent James Kamau, who had arrived in the same
morning with the driver from Nakuru. We drove first to the centre of Nairobi to enjoy some tea.
On the way we saw cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) and marabou storks (Leptoptilos crumeniferus),
and planted trees like Jacaranda mimosifolia, Markhamnia lutea, Spathodea campanulata and
climbers like Bougainvillea and Plumbago, in flower. Grewillea rubusta, Araucaria norfolkii,
Scinus molle and Washingtonia filifera were also identified.
Then we headed for the Nairobi Animal Orphanage, where we saw vulturine (Acryllium
vulturinum) and helmeted guineafowls (Numida meleagris), grey crowned cranes (Balearica
regulorum), warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus), lions (Panthera leo), cheetahs (Acinonyx
jubatus), leopards (Panthera pardus), striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena), spotted hyenas (Crocuta
crocuta), white-tailed mongooses (Ichneumida albicauda), zedonk i.e. a hybrid of donkey
(Equus africanus asinus) and zebras (Equus zebra), a yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus), a
patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas), an African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), a giraffe (Giraffa
camelopardalis), African mountain dogs and servals (Leptailurus serval). In one cage there was
even a crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). Among the wild birds which I spotted were hadada
ibises (Bostrychia hagedash), pied crows (Corvus albus), a baglafecht weaver (Ploceus
baglafecht), a white-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali), red-cheeked cordon-bleus
(Uraeginthus bengalus), speckled mousebirds (Colius striatus) and a black kite (Milvus
migrans). Plant species recorded were Bauchinia lutea, Phoenix regia and Markhamnia lutea.
Photo 2. Zedonk, a hybrid of donkey and zebra in the Nairobi Animal Orphanage 12.11.2011.
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On the way to Nakuru we stopped at the Rift Valley view point. After that I suggested visiting
the shore of Lake Naivasha and we drove to the Sopa Lodge Naivasha. We were able to get a
security man with us to walk to the shore. The water level was much higher than in December
2009, when the lake would not have been reachable from the hotel, if they had not dug a channel
to the shore. Now the water was above the lowest lying small boat cottage. Water hyacinths
(Eichhornia crassipes), pistias (Pistia stratiotes) and Cassia didymobotrya on the upper ground
were characterizing the shore flora. Jane, James and driver had not been in the Sopa premises
before and the liked the place with ornamental plants and wild shore areas. We saw giraffes,
defassa waterbucks (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa), a dikdik (Madoqua), a plains zebra, superb
starlings (Lamprotornis superbus), red-winged starlings (Onychognathus morio) and hadada
ibises.
Photo 3. Left: A scenery from the Rift valley view point along highway from Nairobi to Nakuru.
Right: Water hyacinths in the channel to Lake Naivasha in Sopa lodge 12.11.2011.
We booked in Merica hotel in the City centre at 19:20 pm and received rooms at 3rd and 5th floor.
I took a hot shower and washed my hair. I practiced my presentation for Thursday. In the Merica
Hotel garden I recorded Araucaria excelsa, Monstera, Howea forsteriana, Cyperus papyrus,
Phoenix reclinata, Parietaria, Ravenala madagaskariensis, Coleus and Cordyline. Of the birds I
noticed hadada ibis and masked weaver (Ploceus velatus).
Photo 4. Left: Sopa Lodge garden in Naivasha. Right: Waterbuck in Sopa lodge yard Naivasha
12.11.2011.
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2. DAY: Sunday 13th of November 2011
In the morning we met Sirpa’s godson Moses Chepsang, who is living in the Arab Moi’s
children home in Nakuru. Sirpa’s chore has been donating money for Moses. He is currently
studying in s High School in the West Kenia. We visited the Arab Moi children’s home, where
there are approximately 160 children from babies up till 18 years old teens.
In the afternoon we made a safari drive to the Lake Nakuru National Park with James Kamau,
Jane Mkumbi, her daughter and the driver Johanah Mbugua. The Lake was quite full after rains.
It had been raining quite a lot this year since March and the rivers are in many places full.
According to Monday’s Standard there had been landslides in the Rift Valley in West Kenia and
three persons had been killed.
The North-West shores of the Lake Nakuru were full with pink-backed pelicans (Pelecanus
rufescens), cormorants (Phalarocorax ssp.), marabou storks, some Egyptian geese (Alopochen
aegyptiacus), blacksmith plovers (Vanellus armatus), common sandpipers (Actitis hypoleucos),
black-winged stilts (Himantopus himantopus) and Calidris ssp. I taught Sirpa superb starling.
Photo 5. Left: White rhinos at Lake Nakuru National Park. Right: Giraffes in the Lake Nakuru
National Park 13.11.2011.
Several herds of African buffalos were resting on the shore grasslands accompanied by red-billed
oxpeckers (Buphagus erythrorhynchus). We saw many groups of impalas (Aepyceros melampus)
and Thompson’s gazelles (Eudorcas thomsonii). Rhodes grass (Choris gayana) seems to have
spread on large areas in the national park. On the shore some pink-ink flowers (Cycnium
tubulosum) were flowering and swifts and larks were flying and singing. On the Hill View point
we had a chance to see rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) from a short distance. I identified two
white-fronted bee-eaters (Merops bullockoides), a black kite and a common fiscal (Lanius
collaris). Among the plants were Olea africana, herring grass (Pogonathria squarrosa) and
sodom apple (Solanum incanum).
On the southern shores of the Lake I noticed hamerkops (Scopus umbretta), cattle egrets, little
egrets (Egretta garzetta), yellow-billed storks (Mycteria ibis), a grey heron (Ardea cinerea),
some cordon-bleus, a Verreaux eagle-owl (Bubo lacteus), blue-eared glossy-starlings
(Lamprotornis chalybaeus), hottentot teals (Anas hottentota), ring-necked doves (Streptopelia
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Photo 6. Rock hyraxes in View Point of Lake Nakuru National Park 13.11.2011.
capicola), an African fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), an African goshank (Accipiter tachiro),
and a Verreaux eagle (Aquila verreauxii). A group of reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis
reticulate) were passing over the road and were being photographed on a close distance. Several
groups of olive baboons (Papio anubis) were seen along the road like less black-faced vervet
monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus). Among the plants were Vernonia glabra, Hibiscus
cannabinus and lion’s ear (Leonotis nepetifolia).
After the safari drive we had tea in the nearby Summit Hotel.
Photo 7. Left: Jane peeling fruits at the Lake Nakuru National Park view point. Right: Pink-backed
pelicans in the Lake Nakuru National Park 13.11.2011.
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3. DAY: Monday 14th of November 2011
On Monday morning we walked to the new town hall. In the port there was a billboard
announcing that this is a corruption free zone, as in all other municipalities in Kenya. I identified
some plants in the garden. We noticed that something was burnt in the yard. Later it appeared it
was waste. We met briefly Josephine Ondieki at the port. She was heading to Nairobi to deliver
the national education exam results.
We had a courtesy call with the Mayor Muhammed Issak, Town Clerk Khaio, co-ordinator
Gladys Pkemei, Councillor and Environmental Chairman Jepithar Maniga, Controller Jane
Mbugi, Environmental Director Sammy Ngige Kimani and Cleansing Superintendent James
Kamau. We drank tea and coffee and ate muffins.
Photo 8. Flamingos in the yard of Nakuru MC 14.11.2011.
Next the work visit program was gone through. Some changes and additions were decided on.
After lunch mandate and duties of the Department of Environment in the Municipal Council of
Nakuru were presented by Director of Environment Department (DOE), Deputy Director of
Environment, Sammy Njoi, Public Health Officer and Pollution Control Section Head, George
Gachumba, Superintendent and Cleansing Section Head James Kamau, Parks Supervisor and
Section Head, Daniel Mbogua and the Head of Revenue and Costing Section, Vergine Matula.
Cleansing section takes care of sweeping of the streets in the centre of the City from Mondays to
Saturdays. Licensed entrepreneurs are paying for this monthly 360 KSH. Litter picking and litter
bins are also the responsibilities of this section.
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The municipal council of Nakuru takes care of the waste transport in the city centre, which forms
about 45% of the waste transported to the dumping site by the municipality. In the rest of the
area waste transportation (55 % of the waste) is taken care by private companies and in poorer
settlement areas by CBOs. In Nakuru 24 waste collection zones are managed by private
companies, CBOs and youth groups. In history town used to have 10 trucks and 140 persons
working in the councils cleansing department. The role of the Environment Department is to
oversee that actors manage to do what is expected. It is assisted by a private sector supervisory
team. Waste is transported by refuse collectors from residential areas once a week. 250 tones of
waste is generated every day in Nakuru, and 110 tones is collected. This does not include the
recycled materials, which do not end to the dumping site. There is port fee ranging from 100–
400 KSH / truck loads.
One responsibility of the section is to collect dead animals after the veterinarian has checked
them.
James Kamau told that the “Build, operate and transfer principle” is followed when organizing
involvement of private sector in public toilette management.
Photo 9. Personnel of the Department of Environment in MCN 14.11.2011.
Challenges of the cleansing section are several:
1. Inadequate budgetary allocation
2. Low education level of the staff (74): only one has a technical training.
3. Infrastructure is poor. The disposal ground is not established, the management is a
problem, because there is no money to repair the needed equipment or to pay for a
contractor. There are not enough recycling sites and the low income areas do not have
infrastructure for waste management. According to James Kamau City of Nakuru is big
enough to have a commercial incinerator for medical waste.
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4. Poverty links to informal business activities along roadside causing waste management
problems, for which planning has not been able to respond successfully.
5. Lack of compliance with the legislation and regulations occurs even in public institutions.
Unlicensed waste collectors form a part of the problem.
6. New, emerging waste streams such as electronic waste (computers, fluorescent tubes and
light bulbs) may cause big problems in future such as plastics and polyetene are causing
currently.
7. National policy of waste management is lacking and enforcement of laws is not perfect.
8. Vandalism and stealing cause problems to organize waste collection, e.g. litter bins are
affected.
9. Also street families harm in many ways the waste collection organization e.g. they peak
in waste bins.
Parks Section takes care of planting of trees and flowers, beautification, maintenance of public
parks, trimming of hedges, cutting overgrown trees, tree nursery maintenance, private trees
assessment and removing them. The challenges are:
1. Staff size has decreased to third from the previous (63 to 32 since Daniel came).
2. Town has grown bigger and many people are requiring services.
3. Street families and violence destroy planted seedlings and older trees.
4. Grazing animals destroy tree seedlings.
110 000 seedlings are planted each year, and the municipal council has two nurseries. In Nakuru
there are some parks. Erratic weather has caused problems and some of the planted seedlings
have not survived the dry periods. Egerton University donated many tree seedlings to the
municipal council, which further delivered these to schools. The seedlings have a better chance
in school compounds inside fenced area and pupils watering them.
Billing section collects money from posters, waste disposal, polythene disposal, tree nursery
certificates, building material certificates and harvesting certificates. Sand harvesting licenses
have a rehabilitation plan as prerequisite. Six persons are working in this section. Main challenge
is enforcement. Those not complying are charged.
In the pollution control section water quality monitoring is the key activity. In collaboration with
Jaca capacity was built and NEMP, Nakuru Environment Management Program, started.
Actually the whole pollution control section was institutionalized after that project. NEMP aims
at protecting three lakes: Lake Nakuru, Lake Baringo and Lake Elementaita. They are
geologically connected. Samples are taken from lakes and rivers, sewage effluent and industrial
effluents and analysed and further interpreted in the laboratory according to the Nema standards.
Potable water is sampled by NAWASSCO. KWS also involved in NEMP and there is exchange
of water quality data between the members of the group. Water pollution control is done with
cleansing department and it is basing to the results of water monitoring.
Noise pollution control standards are very strict, even 30-40 dB level is demanded for some
areas. Permission may be given to promote a product, but not to cause noise. Particularly minaret
noise has been disturbing. The inspectors have visited the site and advised how to follow the
standards.
Air pollution control deals with issues like construction site dust, vehicles, industrial air pollution
and street families burning tires to get metal to dealers. According to EMCA (Environmental
Management and Co-ordination Act) factories should use dry fuel to avoid incomplete
combustion. National regulations concerning air quality are still lacking, but probably coming up
even this year.
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Environmental Department, among other relevant authorities, is asked for statements concerning
environmental impact assessments handled in NEMA. There is only 21 days time for the whole
process and it often happens that Department of Environment does not get the papers early
enough to be able to contribute. There is environmental audit by NEMA after one year of the
occupation of the activity.
Also sand mining licenses are granted and supervised in the environmental control section.
Problems have been illegal quarries from 3-6 am, along roads and river banks. Industrial safety
control includes working places, offices, health hazards, inspections. In addition there is the
enforcement of seven relevant regulations in EMCA, hazardous waste, and factory act. Also the
enforcement of Nakuru environmental by-laws is conducted.
There are several challenges in the pollution control section:
1. Street families: burning tires, no sanitary facilities.
2. Coverage of sewerage 30 %; pit latrines and underground septic tanks cause
pollution.
3. Increasing population and increasing solid and liquid waste. The old sewerage
network is not large enough and there are blockages in the sewerage channels.
4. Too strict regulations.
5. Lack of staff.
6. Illegal urban farming: cows, chicken, no system for waste management.
7. Polluter pays principle: everybody has the right to live in a clean environment
8. Polyethene: 20% of the businesses use them.
Photo 10. Left: Jacaranda mimosifolia seedlings in MNC old nursery. Right: Markhamnia lutea in the
park, Nakuru 15.11.2011.
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4. DAY: Tuesday 15th of November 2011
In the morning we had a program concerning tree planting and the Club road plan. We walked
on the yard of the new and the old town hall by the guidance of Daniel Mboga. I recorded copper
leaf (Acalypha wilkesiana), Hibiscus rosa-chinensis, Casuarina, Grewillea robusta, African
olive tree (Olea africana), Markhamnia lutea, Prunus africana and neem tree (muarubaine;
Azadirachta indica). In the old tree nursery grew Terminzlia mentanensis tree, Dombeya and
Acacia xanthophloea. Daniel told that Ficus benjamina is a problematic urban tree, because it
has large roots, which can break tarmac and buildings. In the nearby park grew Thika palm
(Filicium decipiens), Croton ssp., Schefflera, Scinus molle, Jathropa, the oil plant and Australian
frame (Fraxinus pensylvanica).
Next I had a chance to meet CBO chairman and owner of the tree nursery. He told that most
popular tree is Grewillea robusta, because it fertilizes and dry leaves are used as fodder.
Cypressus lusitanica is another popular tree, which is used for timber. The man told having been
involved in the local Agenda 21 work in Nakuru since 2005. Partners in this work have been
KWS, WWF and Municipal Council of Nakuru. He told that clean-ups are organized every
Saturday by the CBO. The nurseries, like his, donate tree seedlings on Environmental days to the
town, which further delivers them to the inhabitants. Altogether 100 000 seedlings have been
planted in Nakuru.
The plans of the Club road were studied in situ and I suggested removing some of the road lanes
going over the central green area.
Photo 11. Left: Club road in Nakuru. Right: Influent passing first filters in the old sewage plant of
Nakuru 15.11.2011.
After lunch we were introduced to water monitoring and waste water issues. At first we visited
the old sewage plant, where also crowned cranes, doves, buffalos, cows and baboons seemed to
be enjoying. There are two inlets to the plant: from Lanet and from section 68. Incoming water
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passes first through screens. The material left on the screen is burnt. The flow of influent was at
visiting time 15 l/s. A Nawasco employee took a water sample.
Next the water enters a grid chamber, where sand is removed. The shredder and organic pump
belong also to the structure. The stabilization lines (2000 m3 other 3t) were in use, while the
conventional line was out of use. In the primary clarifier sludge sediments and is removed. Water
continues to a filter, where both aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria, under the stones, act to
reduce the nutrients from the water. In sludge pots water is removed and organic manure is lifted
to drying beds. Next water enters to secondary clarifier and then it goes slowly through three
aerobic bonds, from which sediment is regularly manually removed. After that there are
facultative ponds 1 and 2, and finally maturation ponds 1 and 2. The outgoing effluent was
sampled here. The reduction of BOD in the sewage plant has been from 180 mg/l for influent to
30 mg/l for effluent. Normally BOD and COD are sampled every Wednesday.
Several bird species were detected in and around the pools e.g. sacred ibis (Threskiornis
aethiopicus).
To the same estate runs the city’s main storm water channel. The storm water retention ponds,
which have three outlets, have not been emptied for seven years. Situation is awful due to smell
and a lot of plastic. Some of the rubbish has already been overflowing to the Lake Nakuru;
something should thus be done soon. I suggested that this problem demands urgent solving by
involving the Municipal Council of Nakuru, responsible for storm waters, KWS, owning the
area, NAWASCO operating in the area and NEMA, being the supervisory authority. Even the
funding of North-South co-operation should be directed to this urgent matter.
Photo 12. Marabou stork and rubbish in storm water channel by old sewage plant 15.11.2011.
Njoro sewage treatment plant is the newer sewage plant in Nakuru and comprises approximately
102 ha. Water enters into two lines. Only the smaller line was in operation when we visited the
site. The flow was 3600 l/s. The other line (9600 l/d) was out of order. 80 % of the sewage
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comes from the industry. After anaerobic pond, there were large facultative ponds and further the
retention ponds. Lots of birds and hippos could be found from the plant and several trees had
been planted there. Also in this sewage plant the influent and effluent were sampled. I wonder
whether the biological treatment is enough for all industrial sewage. It is not clear to me, which
kinds of requirements NAWASCO sets for the industrial sewage it accepts for treatment and
what kinds of contracts have been made.
Last point of sampling was in the industrial plant of Menangai co., which produces soap and
refines oil. We heard a brief introduction to the process in the waste water treatment plant.
The pH of the waste water is modified with acid or basic. Then coagulation polymer is added,
flocculation occurs and it is filtered and then pressed. In the bioreactor occurs oxygenation and
bacteria is sometimes added. Also here sampling was made for BOD and COD.
After the field sampling, the samples were taken to the laboratory, where we visited shortly in
the end of the day.
Photo 13. Retention pond (left). Sampling (right) outfluent at Njoro sewage plant Nakuru 15112011.
5. DAY: Wednesday 16th of November 2011
On Wednesday we learned how waste management is actually operating in Nakuru. We started
from the market, where waste problem was desperate. Huge piles of soil and rubbish were spread
to large area and water was running through it making the cleaning difficult. The informal
business along roadsides causes a lot of waste pollution.
In the municipal truck depot the task is to maintain vehicles so that they are in right time. As
challenges were mentioned lacking spares and tools or their too high costs. The salaries have
only partly been paid. Among the vehicles needing spares are a sideroader, a tractor, a trolley
and a vacuum exhauster. The sideroader has been introduced in 1998 and has been out of
operation eight years. James told that Nakuru municipality has managed to get funding from
Latif to buy a new refuse truck.
I noticed black kite flying above. The vacuum exhauster is able to empty septic tanks up till 5 m
depth, but not pit latrines, which are even 10 m deep. The machine operates up till depth of 6 m.
In the case of compacting truck the maintenance is also lacking. The insect control section and
fire fighting unit are also located in the depot area. When Sirpa asked what happens to waste oil,
it appeared that after reusing it in other vehicles, it is put into a container and used as a fuel.
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Sorting of waste has started in Nakuru in Mama Ngina settlement area, where we visited to have
a look at the collection containers for paper, glass and plastic. There are two types of containers.
This settlement area has guards, who are able to see that the containers are not stolen. They are
also locked. We noticed that window glass had been put to the glass container. We told James
that at least in Finland you are not supposed to put window glass to the general glass collection
due to its chemical properties. Some plastic bags were found in the paper compartment and in
both sites the guards were instructed to advice inhabitants to sort correctly.
Before tea and coffee break we drew to Millimani area, which is the wealthiest in Nakuru. The
settlement areas are separated to three categories low income, middle income and high income
areas and also the waste collection fees vary according to that. Nearby was the biggest hospital in
Nakuru, which has incinerator to burn medical waste. The regional veterinary station was also
seen. It is under the Ministry of Lifestock.
Photo 14. Mama Ngina estate sorting point1 Nakuru 16112011.
We approached Gyoto dumping site from backward and above. Dumbing site is formed in a
steep valley, which has been now filled. Problem arises from that it is also a river valley and
storm water run through the dumping site and take waste material to the road and below parts of
the city. The prison area located on the northern side of the current dumping site would be
suitable enlargement area according to the municipality, and it currently seeks to get it into its
possession. When we approached the landfill from lower level, the whole ugliness appeared also
to Sirpa, since I had been prepared having visited Gyoto February 2010. Marabou storks, pigs
and people were all digging to find something useful from the dumping site. We interviewed a
lady who represented women's polythene group, Minjore, after local name of plastics. Also a
youth group and a men's group (5 members) are working on the dumping site.
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Photo 15. Pigs and goats at Gyoto dumping site Nakuru 16.11.2011.
After lunch, around 3 pm. we visited NEMA, National Environmental Management Authority’s
office in Nakuru. The acting director was Frances Irungu, who told that Nema has been founded
in 1999. Its’ main tasks is to follow the implementation of Environmental Management and Coordination Act. The aim is clean and healthy environment for all. The local municipalities like
Nakuru are the lead agencies. NEMA publishes annually Kenia’s state of environment report.
NEMA takes care of the enforcement of national environmental regulations and standards, which
have been made to several fields e.g. biodiversity, noise and water monitoring. The provincial
Environmental Committee meets four times a year.
NEMA is co-operating with international donators such as Sida, Jika and Us Aid. There are 360
civil servants working in NEMA and in Nakuru office there are only 4 experts and one assistant
and regularly also interns. NEMA has to according to EMCA conduct environmental impact
assessment in 30 days. It includes asking statements from relevant authorities. Since 2010
summer over 1000 environmental impact assessments have been made. The applier has to
provide expert based application in several copies to start the handling.
NEMA assigns environmental licenses for noisy tasks. It also takes care of environmental
incident management, environmental inspection and grants awards for the forerunners in
environmental issues. The challenges are many including the fight against deforestation of Mau
forest. NEMA has announced for Nakuru Municipality Restoration order for Gyoto dumping
site. The spread of waste to the road has to be stopped, stonewall erected and the access roads of
dumping site have to be cleared. NEMA has environmental and even public health concern of
the topic. NEMA is aware of the scares resources and in implementation it very much depends
on municipalities.
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I asked about the faith of storm water sedimentation pond problem. Mr. Irungu answered that the
topic had been discussed in a meeting with DOE. There are three different solutions: firstly the
problem has to be attacked at the point of origin, which to a large degree is the market area in
Nakuru. Secondly the acute problem of waste in the sedimentation pond has to be cleared off and
thirdly awareness and conduct in environmental issues has to be improved among the
inhabitants. NEMA get mainly its’ funds from the Ministry of Environment.
Next we visited Ali Noor, a CBO which has recycled plastic for six years. Ali Noor is among
few in the field: in Nairobi there is a plastic collection company which does not refine the
product but sells it directly to the producers. Incoming used plastic material is crushed, washed,
grinded and condensed. The company has provided plastic grains for some other industrials
companies e.g. greenhouse shaders and electricity poles have been made. The problem has been
that there is no constant demand and that is why the manager is open for innovative approaches.
Currently it seems that they are going to refining business to make end user products for local
markets, namely fencing posts. The plastic waste is composed of low density granules, HP
polythene paper and PP and their mixture. Varying material is handled through the same process
but somewhat differently. In principle the granulized product could be used for several purpose
e.g. for tires and even for shoes like croxes as I suggested after he asked about it.
Next we draw to the slum like area in Nakuru.
Photo 16. Coloured plastic grains at Ali Noor factory, Nakuru 16.11.2011.
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6. DAY: Thursday 17th of November 2011
Gladys Pkemei opened the “Colleague to colleague awareness creation – energy and water
saving” workshop and explained about North-South co-operation between Nakuru and
Hämeenlinna and encouraged participants to start changes in energy and water saving from
themselves. James Kamau said some words and suggested of making some recommendations in
the end of the seminar. Sammy Ngige showed in presentation water and electricity bills. Water
bill in April 2011 was 1,7 milj. KSH and December 2010 1,66 milj. KSH. Electricity bill in April
2011 was 1,2 mill. KSH and in December 2010 0,966 mil. KSH. Low consumption months both
in water and electricity are in December and February, when people are at home on leave and do
not consume at office. Declaration to reduce consumption of energy and water by 1 % was
signed in the seminar. Benchmarking months are April and December.
I had a presentation about Sustainable use of energy and water (Appendix 1). After my
presentation there was discussion about how to save water and energy. It was stressed that all
workers have the responsibility in the issue. There is a need to teach how the tap operates.
Particularly disconnections of water may cause confusion and the tap may be left accidentally
open. When the water starts running again, the open tap wastes a lot of water and energy. Some
other suggestions in relation to water and energy use came up: The Municipal Hall and schools
could acquire tanks for water harvesting and energy saving bulbs. The computers and lights
should be switched off always when not in use. You may consider using gas instead of
electricity. There is even a possibility of using solar power in street lights or solar heater in the
kitchen.
There should be an eco-support team, composed of volunteers from different departments. They
would be acting as champions of energy saving. Particularly persons from planning department
and engineers volunteered. Finally, from all the nine departments representatives were appointed
to the task force that was established. It was agreed that each participant delivers energy and
water saving stickers to 10 other civil servants. Various kinds of stickers produced in the project
were delivered to participants by Heli, Sirpa and Gladys.
Photo 17. Energy and water saving workshop audience. Right: Sign in Sururu rehabilitation. Both on
17.11.2011.
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In the afternoon we took a drive to Mau Narok through Maustan to visit the Mau forest area and
specifically Sururu forest rehabilitation area, sponsored by EU
In the evening we had dinner at Gladys’s home.
Photo 18. Scenery at road side in Mau Narok 17.11.2011.
7. DAY: Friday 18th of November 2011
On Friday morning we met the Municipal Education Officer Millicent Yugi and Josephine
Ondieki, who presented the progress report of education component. Also Gladys Pkemei
participated that meeting. Kenia National Examination tasks have taken their time for most of
this week. The actions implemented included gender mainstreaming workshop in March
(participants: 120 head teachers + other), material development workshop in October (72
participants), localized health curriculum manual use workshop (82 participants) in September
and workshop for environmental patrons (55 participants) on 21.10.2011. Participants committed
to conduct particular environmental actions. Letter writing program has been continued with the
Finnish team. Tree planting has continued and landscaping improvements have been made.
Some have started their kitchen gardens without support. Teachers’ advisory centre is in process
of renovation and equipping. Laminated pictured teaching methods are available for teachers. A
meeting has been held with Racetrack, Mama Ngina and Lenana to introduce the project and
kitchen garden and the composting activity and these schools have been interested to continue
with it. Water tanks for watering the garden are being procured in near future.
In the evening we had the farewell dinner in Merika Hotel. The event was lead by Councillor
Damaris and other speakers were Gladys, Heli, and Sirpa. Presents were changed and prayed.
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8. DAY: Saturday 19th of November 2011
On Saturday we had a chance to visit Menangai sightseeing point. After that we drove to Nairobi
through Lake Elementaita. We flew from Nairobi on this same evening and were back in Finland
on 20th of December.
Photo 19. Left: Menangai Crater scenery19.11.2011. Right: Lake Elementaita 19.11.2011.
Thanks
I want to take this opportunity and thank on my part and also on the part of the whole Finnish
team all the people we met during the visit and particularly the Department of Environment and
Co-ordinator of South, Gladys Pkemei for their hospitability, which made the visit very
successful and fruitful. I was very impressed about the professional way you deal with the topics
and I’m convinced that you are able to improve environmental issues and also the general
administration in the municipality. We wish you a lot of energy and courage to do your work in
challenging conditions.
Photo 20. Protea caffra (left) and Salvia (right) in Menangai Hill sightseeing point on 19.11.2011.
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Photo 21. Mama Ngina estate sorting point, Nakuru 16.11.2011.
Photo 22. Johanah, Sirpa, Heli and James at Menangai Crater view point 19.11.2011.
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