MALINDI, Kenya, Jan 9 – Kilifi County Government is set to invest in a Sh800 million sewerage recycling plant to produce briquettes that will solve energy crises in the region.
Speaking at the Jesus Cares Centre (JCC) International church on Sunday, Governor Gideon Mung’aro said that he would soon launch the plant being set up in Sabaki area of Malindi Sub County through funding from the World Bank.
He said the plant would use human waste from toilets in Malindi and Watamu towns to produce coal that will be sold to residents and reduce the over-dependence on charcoal from wood that is blamed for environmental degradation.
The governor said the briquettes would be made from a mixture of sludge, coconut husks and leaves, noting that the project was part of his administration’s agenda to clean Malindi town and its environs with a view to reviving the ailing tourism sector.
“Malindi needs to be clean. We already have development partners and in the next one or two weeks I will be launching a mega sanitation project in Sabaki where we shall produce coal briquettes so that people can stop cutting trees,” he said.
Mung’aro said his administration with the help of development partners had embarked on the construction of properly lined toilets in both Malindi and Watamu towns, a project that would cost about Sh120 million.
The Governor who was accompanied by several Members of the Kilifi County Assembly (MCAs) and other senior county leaders said the modern toilets will cost a total of Sh10 million and will have among other services, a modern bathroom with fully furnished modern bathing facilities.
“I want to make it clear here that once these toilets are ready, they will be run by both youth and women groups. This again will also be another form of creating job opportunities,” he said.
He said he was also working towards improving the Malindi town’s drainage system, which he said was a major stumbling block to the tourist resort town’s development, as well as end incessant water shortages.
The governor added that he would also support the national government in its efforts to develop the Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project with a view to improving food security in the county and beyond.
