Locals to pay hefty fine for littering

Members of the public at a dumping site at VOK stage on the Mombasa Malindi highway in Mombasa. Traders in Mombasa County have raised concern over filth in the town saying it was driving away investors. Mombasa Chamber of Commerce chairman James Mureu said the situation in Mombasa was worrying as the leaders had instead resorted to “too much politicking”. PHOTO/KEVIN ODIT

By Mathias Ringa

Mombasa residents will face harsh penalties for illegal garbage disposal.

The county executive for Environment, Ms Fatma Awale, said those found guilty of littering or dumping refuse in unauthorised sites will face up to three years in jail or a fine of Sh100,000.

Ms Awale said the County Assembly passed the penalties in July to deter residents, who are notorious for illegal dumping or littering the town.

The penalties, she said, came after cases of illegal disposal of waste on streets, residential areas and public grounds had increased to alarming levels.

Mombasa county chiefs have, in the recent past, come under attack by tourism stakeholders and traders over the failure to keep the town clean.

Hoteliers had warned that the filthy state of the town was scaring away tourists and potential investors, and called on the county bosses to address the garbage crisis.

Ms Awale said despite stepping up efforts to keep the town clean, some people had frustrated the drive through deliberate illegal waste dumping, hence the tough penalties.