By David Oduor

Kisumu Waste Pickers Welfare Association (KIWAPWA) is a consortium of waste pickers within Kisumu County, and one the networks of Muungano wa Wanavijiji movement. Their dedication lies in advocacy for the welfare of waste pickers. KIWAPWA comprises 15 groups and individuals involved in waste collection and value addition, as well as those working at the dump site. Formed in 2019 to unite waste pickers who previously operated individually, the association was initially brought together by Centre for Environmental Justice And Development (CEJAD). It was later officially registered on 18/08/2021 at the Registrar of Societies in the Attorney General’s office in Nairobi. KIWAPWA has a total of 250 members, including 105 females, 145 males, and 3 differently-abled individuals.

In our interaction with some of the group officials, Mr Victor Onyango, the group chairperson, shared some of the best practices the group has embraced for its effective running. These practices include the formulation of a constitution, which acts as a guiding principle for group members and officials. It also separates power for the office bearers and outlines responsibilities clearly for every group member. He also added that KIWAPWA has formed different teams to help with its daily operations. These teams are the development team, welfare team, disciplinary committee (which helps in solving internal conflicts), the group savings and loaning (GSL) team (constituted of four members: the chairperson of the committee, the treasurer, and two money counters), and the data and enumeration team (tasked with conducting research, attending public participation, and proposal writing). The group also meets every Sunday for members to interact, share ideas, critique, engage in a merry-go-round, and express their views.

Apart from advocacy, the association carries out waste collection, collecting waste from households every Saturday. They bring the waste to their yard for sorting, creating jobs for some youths within Kisumu. KIWAPWA also hires out tents and chairs to the community as an income-generating activity, though at a subsidized price. Other activities undertaken by the group include savings, loaning, and merry-go-round schemes to promote livelihoods within the group, as well as engaging in continuous clean-ups as a means of community social responsibility, aiming for a clean, safe, secure, and resilient community. Mr Kevin Akwota the organizing secretary of Arina Estate said, "KIWAPWA's clean-ups and waste management services have led to a reduction in diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera, decreased burning of waste, and improved environmental hygiene." He then added, "Additionally, crime rates have dropped since some youths have been engaged in waste collection."

As an organization, the group believes in supporting community members in every way possible. In addition to conducting clean-ups, KIWAPWA has supported two students by paying their secondary school fees, represented the community in public participation and forums, and sensitized community members on waste segregation at the household level. Lilian Achieng, a community member, mentions, "KIWAPWA has empowered women by providing leadership roles and capacity strengthening." She elaborates, "Selling plastic to the group also motivates other women to segregate their waste at the household level. This not only benefits the women by creating a sense of empowerment but also supports the waste pickers by ensuring a more efficient waste management process."

Being one of Muungano Wa Wanavijiji groups, has gained several benefits. The chairperson highlighted that these benefits include capacity building and strengthening, networking and learning through exchange visits, linkage with the county government of Kisumu and other stakeholders, introduction of passbooks, and strengthening of the movement. Besides benefiting from these group activities, members have also gained from Muungano through learning opportunities, income from resource incentives, training, networking, and bonding.

Despite the group's ongoing efforts, it faces several challenges. Elizabeth Aseto and Dan Ochieng, both officials, highlighted issues such as a lack of personal protective equipment for waste collection, financial difficulties—particularly related to the transportation of waste from their yard to the dumping site in Kasese due to the distance—ignorance and discrimination from the community leading to illegal dumping, difficulties in enforcing waste management laws and policies by the county government, and issues with proposal writing. To address these challenges, Victor Onyango recommended that the County Government of Kisumu construct waste recovery centres in every ward, partner with other stakeholders to sensitize the community on waste segregation at the household level, and recognize waste pickers in the circular economy, not just the aggregators.

Mr. Akwota called for KIWAPWA to incorporate all small waste groups within Kisumu County, conduct community engagement to sensitize people on waste management, host radio talk shows on local stations, maintain active social media handles updated frequently with activities, and conduct regular clean-ups in public spaces and estates.