A site survey by the national leadership of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) or the top government environmental agency has alerted the Kilifi authorities to the urgent need for action to improve the situation at the Malindi landfill site.
NEMA officials, led by Director John Koncellah, highlighted the deplorable state of the city dump, which also serves Watamu and Magarini, and the danger it poses to the health of residents and tourists.
As they had already pointed out for a long time, first through repeated warnings, then through a petition by citizens' associations, the dump needed to be fenced off and guarded, to prevent illegal dumping and above all the practice of burning any material, especially at night.
In fact, as NEMA reiterated, sorting waste and then disposing of it in a different way, avoiding toxic fumes and dispersion into the soil and the environment, is fundamental.
"The situation is problematic," Konchellah told the press, "and it is up to the county to implement the necessary provisions under regulations that are already in place. It is not for NEMA to deal with it."
Kilifi County is expected to take immediate action, with Environment Executive Karisa Mwachitu saying that measures have already been put in place to properly manage the situation. It is hoped that the corrective measures requested by the highest national authority will be implemented, namely the fencing of the dump, sorting and controls.
It is certain that even the government has realised in recent days, when it came to Malindi to celebrate World Wetlands Day (yesterday at the mouth of the Sabaki was also present the Minister of Environment Keriako Tobiko) that action must be taken quickly.