The United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-HABITAT) has committed to support the tourism resort town of Malindi to implement sustainability programs on Waste Management, recycling to promote the circular economy.
Already the resort town was recognised for its effort in monthly beach and town clean ups organised by Progress Welfare Association of Malindi which brings together stakeholders from CBOs, Conservation groups, Police, KWS, Hoteliers schools, beach operators Malindi casino among others to ensure they promote a clean environment.
Further there have been initiatives of promoting circular economy through recycling of waste into useful products which has created employment and products sold to international markets.
Their efforts earned them recognition from the UN Habitat that brought a delegation from Berbera Municipality in Somaliland to benchmark on waste management.
Progress Welfare Association of Malindi organised a Special clean up from Olympia beach to Diamonds Malindi to showcase their efforts and also teach their Somaliland counterparts on how to manage their waste and how the trash can be turned into cash.
The clean-up was organized by Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM), an affiliate member of UN-Habitat’s Waste Wise Cities, in collaboration with UN-Habitat and the Kilifi County Government.
It formed part of a Learning Exchange Programme between municipalities in East and the Horn of Africa, featuring a delegation from Berbera Municipality.
During the Clean up, Jeremiah Ougo the National Programme officer (Regional Office for Africa) United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-HABITAT) said they were working with municipalities in the East and Horn of Africa that enabled the municipality of Berber to benchmark in Malindi.
He said they had closed the Go Blue program in the six coastal counties which cost 7 million Euros and Kilifi Municipality benefitted during the four-year period.
“But I see there are already good reasons to come to Malindi in the near future,” he said, adding that he was happy to see recycling being done in Malindi.
He said they have established a material recovery facility in Mwatate, Taita Taveta and revealed there was a possibility of establishing one in Malindi.
Rita Valentini an Italian conservationist who was present showcased some of high-end products being made from recycled materials in Malindi which are being sold to VIPs in Europe at a very high cost.
Abdisamad Ahmed Bihi, the Director of Planning and Development Department, Berbera Municipality Authority and Focal Point of Berbera Urban Development Project Somaliland said they came to see how solid waste management was done so as to replicate it in their municipality.
He said they were happy to see that stakeholders came together with a view to manage waste from locals to government officials which was a good move that ensured collective responsibility for all.
Kate Mwikali, the Chairperson of PWAM said they were happy to host the delegation from Berbera Municipality and UN Habitat to see how they were working together to promote circular economy and sustainability of waste management.
She said in November this year Malindi will be having the first Wetlands Marathon from Sabaki river mouth to Malindi marine park to promote conservation.
Ntindi Kassim the Kilifi County Warden KWS and in charge of Malindi Marine Park said through collaboration they have been able to keep the beaches clean and helped reduce the threats of endangered species in the Ocean.
Malindi Tourist Police Unit Officer in Charge, Vicky Odhiambo said they normally join stakeholders in such initiatives so as to sensitize the community on the importance of conservation and ensure their town is clean.
