UN-HABITAT Pledges Support for Malindi Tourism Resort Town

The United Nations Human Settlement Program (UN-HABITAT) has committed to support the tourism resort town of Malindi, Kilifi County to implement sustainability programs on waste management and recycling to promote the circular economy.

Already the resort town which has been recognized for its efforts through the monthly beach and town clean ups exercises organized by Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) which brings together stakeholders from Community Based Organizations (CBOs), conservation groups, the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), hoteliers, schools, and beach operators among others has attracted delegations from Berbera Municipality in Somaliland who are in the town to benchmark on solid waste management.

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.

The Berbera delegation led by Abdisamad Ahmed Bihi who is the director of Planning and Development Department at Berbera Municipality Authority and also the head of the Focal Point of Berbera Urban Development Project Somaliland participated in the monthly cleanup exercise at the Casuarina beach and Bihi said that they came to see how solid waste management was done so as to replicate it in their municipality.

He added that 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 ensure collective responsibility for all and that it formed part of a Learning Exchange Programme between municipalities in East and the Horn of Africa, featuring a delegation from Berbera Municipality.

Jeremiah Ougo, the National Programme officer, Regional Office for Africa of the UN-HABITAT said that they were working with municipalities in the east and horn of Africa that enabled the municipality of Berbera to be able to benchmark in Malindi.

He added that 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 that they have established a material recovery facility in Mwatate Taita Taveta and revealed there was a possibility of establishing one in Malindi.

Rita Valentini, a local conservationist of Italian origin took the opportunity to showcase some of high-end products being made from recycled materials in Malindi which are being sold to high end markets in Europe at a very high cost.

Kate Mwikali, the Chairperson of PWAM said that 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 that in November this year Malindi w2ill be having the first Wetlands Marathon from Sabaki river mouth to Malindi marine park to promote conservation.

Ntindi Kassim, the Kilifi County KWS warden in charge of Malindi Marine Park said that through collaboration they have been able to keep the beaches clean and helped reduce the threats of endangered species in the Ocean.

The Malindi Tourist Police Unit (TPU) Officer in Charge Vicky Odhiambo said that they normally join stakeholders in such initiatives so as to sensitize the community on the importance of conservation and ensure their town is clean.

Among those stakeholders represented included Malindi Municipality, Sub County Environment office, Malindi Water and Sewerage Company, Public Health, National Police Service, KWS, Hoteliers, beach operators, boat operators among others.