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Mombasa county residents will pay Sh500 monthly fees for garbage collection.

Deputy Governor Francis Thoya yesterday said the county government has imposed the new fees, which will be enforced soon to ensure compliance in line with the County Solid Waste Management Act, 2023.

County has contracted Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (Mawasco) Ltd to implement the collection of fees any time soon to promote a circular economy.

Thoya made the remarks while addressing Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) stakeholders’ workshop on the proposed Extended Producer Responsibility regulation flanked by Josephine Wawira, KEPSA Sustainable Inclusive Business Communications lead.

Thoya said implementation of the plan is in line with Mombasa County Solid Waste Management Amendment Act, 2023 which proposes, among other things, a mandatory garbage collection fee of Sh500 per household.

“Mombasa County Solid Waste Management Act was first passed in 2021, recommending every household to pay Sh200, but it was not implemented then. We did amendments and brought in the marine waste. It was then passed by the county Assembly with a recommendation of Sh500 per household every month,” Thoya said.

He further noted that the county is carrying a garbage burden because of failure to adhere to set regulations.

“We are going to privatise this waste collection service. People will now start paying for it so that they take responsibility for themselves,” the DG noted.

County will map out areas ready for deployment of Mawasco to continue collecting money and ensure proper management of waste. We will zone areas that are already being implemented by the private sector to avoid interference,” said Thoya.

Deputy governor also affirmed that the county will soon domesticate the extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulation to soot its garbage management plan. The regulation is currently in the draft stage.

He also spelled tough action against residents who recklessly pee on the streets. He also said they will take drastic direction to ensure adherence to the regulations.