ChildFund with support of The Coca-Cola Foundation will implement a one-year waste management program in Nairobi to help foster a cleaner and healthier city as well as combat the economic disparity in Mukuru informal settlement. The project named Tunawiri na Taka meaning Thriving through Waste Management will work to improve informal waste management structures by engaging women and youth in income generating activities through plastic waste management.

Due to unplanned spaces characterized by a lack of access to adequate sanitation and sewerage facilities, lack of waste management structures with solid waste being dumped on sidewalks and open spaces, people in Mukuru, especially women and children, suffer public health and environmental related ailments. Unfortunately, harsh economic realities constrain them from improving their lot relating to better waste infrastructure.

The project will work collaboratively with 20 waste collection groups with centrally placed waste collection hubs renovated in readiness to accommodate increased waste aggregation expected in the area after the launch. The women and youth will receive training, improving their capacities in waste management and small scale entrepreneurship; they will be equipped with personal protective gear and waste management tools and equipment; they will also be linked to waste recyclers; and their groups registered with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services for better co-ordination.

Speaking on this new project, ChildFund Kenya Country Director Alice Anukur applauded The Coca-Cola Foundation for its willingness to help support waste management in Nairobi which has a rapidly growing population of over 4.3 million and is among the leading cities in Africa with increasing waste generation. “The Tunawiri na Taka Project will ensure the proper disposal of waste at central collection points greatly reducing the spread of diseases like cholera especially for children under five years and pregnant and lactating mothers.”