The Kapsabet Town dumping site which according to NEMA needs to be relocated as it poses danger to the local residents. [ Photo | Shillah Mwadosho | West Fm]

Kapsabet Municipal Council has declared that it will not relocate its controversial dumpsite despite orders from Kapsabet District Development Committee (DDC).

Kapsabet Mayor Michael Rono said that despite reported health risks posed by the facility that is adjacent to Kapsabet district hospital, the council will continue dumping the town’s waste in the area because they do not have an alternative site.

Rono claimed that the decision by DDC chaired by Nandi Central District Commissioner Ahmed Abdullahi that the facility be relocated was reached without consultation with the council.

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He denied receiving invitation to attend the meeting that was held late last month at Nandi county council hall adding that it was wrong for the facility they own to have been an agenda when they were not invited.

Speaking to West Fm in Kapsabet, the mayor claimed that the authorities pushing for the relocation of the facility were “inconsiderate and political in their agenda.”

He accused DDC, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Friends of Nandi Environment (FONE) of “playing to the gallery” when they were aware that an alternative site could not be found.

Abdullahi could not be reached for comment, but had earlier condemned the municipal council of compromising the lives of the residents.

He had gone ahead to say that he would direct Kapsabet OCPD Nelson Okioga to ensure that arrests were made on those who attempt to dump the waste in the prohibited area.

However, he later reversed his decision when municipal council clerk Hammed Dore informed him that the council was finalizing the purchase of a new land that they would relocate the facility to.

The call for relocation of the dumpsite has been a controversial debate marked by blame game between Kapsabet DDC, NEMA, Kapsabet district hospital, FONE on one hand and Kapsabet municipal council on the other hand.

Last month, the matter escalated after a meeting was held by DDC, FONE officials and NEMA county director Michael Komen when orders were issued to the municipal council that the facility be relocated.

The following day after the meeting, NEMA officials from national headquarters visited the facility after they received a letter from FONE director John Chumo alleging that Komen was mishandling the matter.

Barely two weeks after their visit, NEMA swapped Komen with Baringo County NEMA director Ms. Joyce Imende who is still expected to report to work.

Imende said on telephone that she would soon report to Nandi County once formal processes of the transfer have been completed.