Waste disposal has been a key issue in the country, especially in Nairobi. The lack of proper waste disposal methods has led to the propping up of illegal waste points in the dwellings, especially in lower income areas. Most youth in these areas are involved in the informal sector and as such, find a way to sustain themselves through the waste sorting and production.
Despite the efforts by both the National government, through the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), and the county government through the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) and other Private Service Providers (PSPs), the waste management problem in the city has not had a major improvement. These PSPs have limited reach and are riddled with lack of capacity with an estimated 50 trucks serving the whole of Nairobi. These PSPs have failed in their mandate Most households are not served by the licensed PSPs due to factors such as inability for locals to pay for the service, pure ignorance and opting for other informal and affordable services by local youth and women.
However it is looked at, these services are not in essence affordable. The youth and women who partake in the informal waste collection and disposal pay the price by putting their health at risk, sorting and collecting garbage without proper protection.
The EMAJIC project seeks to cater to the problem of waste production as well as employment creation by integrating the informal waste collectors and sorters together with the current PSPs, identifying their incapacities and building on their capacities with the aim of creating a job market in the waste disposal sector.
Our Approach
EMAJIC will empower 25 informal women and youth groups of waste collectors, identified by our project partner – Child Fund Kenya, in Kasarani sub-county. These groups / direct beneficiaries, consisting 700 individuals (420 youth and 280 women), will be trained on group dynamics, Voluntary Saving and Loaning Association (VSLA) and get assistance in getting formal registration to ensure their compliance with the law. The project is also anticipated to benefit another 1,500 children, 840 women and 560 men.
The project seeks to build on the groups’ capacity by helping them secure contracts in residential and commercial areas. The initiative will also ensure that the informal waste collectors are hedged against the inequalities and lack of payment they face in certain areas.
Artisanal recyclers of glass and other reusable and recyclable products will be encouraged to convert their waste into crafts for both the domestic and local markets while also exposing them to financial literacy and pre-existing government framework in order to scale their venture further.
Monitoring data compiled from the assessment of these groups will help identify room for improving the groups’ capacity and also asses the groups overall goals.
Expected Outcomes And Impact
The project, EMAJIC, seeks to improve the current state of waste collection through the use of PPEs for safety of the groups, improve sustainable income for the groups and stimulate innovation from the recycled products by the youth. The project also seeks to improve the state of waste disposal in Kasarani sub-county for better hygiene for the locals. Despite the existence of garbage collection points, the project also aims at increasing the number of collection points in order to cover a wide area, reducing waste pollution in Kasarani.
A major impact anticipated to be realized by the project is on the environment. The rehabilitation of plastic waste among other e-waste will reduce air pollution in Kasarani area while also preventing clogs in the existing drainage systems. The existence of a proper waste collection system by these groups will also ensure other illnesses diseases are done away with as a result of a cleaner, more healthy environment.
Social impacts of the projects are also anticipated especially when we will conduct educational awareness campaigns alongside the groups to ensure community participation. Urging the locals on the importance of a well developed system of waste disposal would increase their willingness to pay for the service and even partake in the service itself.
Financial incentives are also anticipated for the groups as the service charge for collecting waste can serve as a source of income.
Direct Beneficiaries
| F | M | All | |
| Children | 600 | 400 | 1000 |
| Women | 280 | – | 280 |
| Youth | 220 | 200 | 420 |
| Total | 1,100 | 600 | 1,700 |