Turning waste into wealth in Kakamega County

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The Circular Economy for Household Organic Waste (CE4HOW) project in Kakamega, western Kenya, is implementing a model that could help cities worldwide tackle the growing waste crisis.

Across the world, waste is piling up faster than cities can manage it. More than 4.4 billion people living in urban areas generate waste daily. Yet at least 2 billion still lack basic waste collection services. In low-income countries, over 90% of waste is dumped or burned, polluting the environment and causing illness. In sub-Saharan Africa the majority of that waste (61%) is organic. With municipal solid waste in lower-income cities across Africa and Asia expected to double by 2030, urgent action is needed.

In Kakamega, western Kenya, we are implementing a model that could help cities worldwide tackle this challenge: partnering with a social enterprise and existing informal waste groups, we are turning household organic waste into fertiliser, creating a commercially viable approach to managing one of urban areas’ most problematic waste streams.

Kakamega County, in western Kenya, is a major agricultural and commercial hub. Covering over 3,000 km² and home to 2 million people, it is one of the country’s most densely populated areas. Its fertile land supports farming, but rapid urbanisation and poor waste management threaten both livelihoods and the environment.

Like many growing towns, Kakamega struggles to manage waste. Local authorities collect less than 40% of what is generated, leaving most residents—especially in low-income settlements—without adequate services. As a result, dumping and burning are common, polluting air, soil, and water sources. Organic waste, which makes up 60–70% of the total, is often left uncollected as it holds little market value. This not only harms people’s health but also disrupts ecosystems.

At the same time, decades of intensive farming with costly chemical fertilisers have degraded soils, reducing agricultural productivity. Many farmers are seeking alternatives to restore soil health. High unemployment—particularly among youth and women—adds further pressure with limited income opportunities.

This initiative offers a practical way forward. Partnering with an award-winning commercial social enterprise (Regen Organics) to transform waste into fertilizer tackles multiple challenges: improving waste collection, creating jobs, boosting incomes in the informal sector, and restoring soil fertility. The project supports Kakamega’s Solid Waste Management Plan and aligns with Kenya’s 2022 Solid Waste Management Act, which promotes circular economy approaches. With its results, Kakamega can provide a model for other towns looking to turn waste into opportunity—building healthier communities and a more resilient local economy.

This project brings together Practical Action, Regen Organics—Kenya’s largest organic fertiliser producer—and the County Government of Kakamega to develop a viable model for managing household organic waste. By incorporating 4,000 tonnes of household waste into Regen Organics’ fertiliser production each year, the project aims to reduce pollution, improve waste management, and create economic opportunities.

To ensure a steady supply of organic waste, Practical Action will support 15,000 households in sorting their waste at home. In return, these families will access more affordable waste collection services provided by informal waste workers. The project will also train waste workers, including women, to collect and sell segregated waste to collection centres, creating new income opportunities. These centres, established by Practical Action, will be owned by the county government and operated by a contracted private company to ensure long-term sustainability.

Beyond waste collection and processing, the project will push for stronger policies at both county and national levels to create an enabling environment for circular waste management. Practical Action will document and share insights from the model, encouraging replication in other towns. By improving waste management, creating jobs, and reducing pollution, Kakamega has the potential to set a valuable example for cities across Kenya.

“We are excited to partner with the private sector, communities, and the government to develop sustainable waste management solutions that can be scaled up to achieve greater impact. We value waste management systems that go beyond recycling to create regenerative processes and circular economies. This project will also help us deliver on two of our goals: making cities in poorer countries cleaner, healthier, fairer places for people to live and work and creating a regenerative agriculture system that works for smallholder farmers.”

Susan Maina, Country Director, Practical Action in Kenya

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