As Eldoret City continues to grow with a rising population and expanding economic activities, the County Government of Uasin Gishu, through the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, is intensifying efforts to engage partners and investors in developing collaborative solutions to environmental challenges.

In a significant step towards this goal, representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Kentaro Hotta and Mr. Ryota Okiguchi, visited the department. The two are part of JICA’s technical team working closely with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry to improve waste management systems across the country.

Currently, JICA is supporting the national agenda on plastic recycling and is conducting assessments to better understand the volume and composition of waste generated in major cities. Their visit to Uasin Gishu aimed to explore the possibility of conducting a Waste Amount and Composition Survey (WACS)—a critical initiative that would generate valuable data to guide sustainable solid waste management strategies.

The delegation was warmly received by the County’s Chief Officer for Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources, Mr. Mark Some, who was accompanied by the Director for Environment, Ms. Abigael Kibet; Principal Officer in charge of Solid Waste Management, Ms. Divina Salim; and Assistant Director for Environment, Mr. Philip Lagat.

Welcoming the initiative, Mr. Some remarked, “In alignment with our service delivery charter and the Nguzo number 7 development pillar, your visit comes at a crucial time. As our City grows, so does the challenge of managing waste. We are committed to ensuring a clean and safe environment and are ready to work hand in hand with partners like JICA to fast-track solutions. We will assign our environmental officers to work closely with your technical team to ensure smooth and timely implementation.”

Other departmental officers echoed his sentiments, reaffirming their commitment to support the successful rollout of the survey and the broader collaboration.

The Waste Amount and Composition Survey (WACS) has officially been accepted and is scheduled to be conducted in Uasin Gishu County in November 2025.

This partnership marks a major step forward in strengthening the County’s capacity to manage waste sustainably, paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more organized urban environment for all.