On a Monday mid-morning in Mukuru, one of Nairobi’s expansive slums, the roads are bustling with people from various backgrounds, all striving to make a living. Mukuru consists of around 30 villages, housing over 700,000 residents. In this area, waste disposal along the streets is commonplace, and during the rainy season, blocked drainage systems can lead to severe flooding.
In March, heavy rains severely impacted residents of the Mukuru Kwa Njenga and Mukuru Kwa Reuben areas, with the Kenya Red Cross reporting that about 1,180 households were affected.
The sanitation situation in the slum is dire, with residents lacking access to basic necessities like water, schools, roads, and toilets. Nearly half a million people are crammed into 100,000 households made from rusted corrugated iron, and many young people are left idle without jobs.
To address these pressing challenges, a new project utilizing black soldier flies to manage waste has been launched.
On Monday, the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) inaugurated 12 Black Soldier Fly Units in Mukuru, aiming to foster climate resilience and create job opportunities for youth. GCA CEO Prof. Patrick Verkooijen emphasized the initiative’s significance for Africa’s climate adaptation: “The Black Soldier Fly initiative in Mukuru showcases the effectiveness of locally-led climate solutions. By converting waste into resources and equipping youth with skills, we are tackling various challenges from flood mitigation to food security.”
The black soldier flies convert organic waste into useful by-products: protein-rich larvae for livestock feed and nutrient-rich fertilizer. This process alleviates landfill pressure and helps prevent flooding by keeping drainage systems clear.
Additionally, the initiative supports sustainability by reducing dependence on traditional waste disposal methods, such as landfilling or incineration, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. The units are designed to process three tonnes of organic waste per cycle, significantly aiding climate resilience efforts in the area.
The Black Soldier Fly units are part of a larger, community-driven waste management strategy linked to the Mukuru People’s Adaptation Plan, which aims to enhance resilience in a region frequently affected by seasonal flooding. This project is part of GCA’s mission to connect international financial institutions with the expertise needed to address climate risks in urban informal settlements.
The initiative is conducted under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Programme in collaboration with the African Development Bank, which aims to raise $25 billion over five years to enhance climate adaptation across Africa. Since its inception, the program has integrated climate adaptation measures into over $10 billion in investments, benefiting millions across the continent.
Training Program
Patrick Njoroge, deputy director of the Akiba Mashinani Trust, noted that the youth managing the units have undergone training to acquire the necessary skills for black soldier fly farming as a method of waste management. “During the inauguration of the units, we awarded certificates to youths who completed their training, which is recognized by the government,” he said.
Around 100 youths have been trained to manage the 12 Black Soldier Fly Units established in Mukuru, with plans to train more. These units operate in three informal settlements: Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Kwa Reuben, and Viwandani.
Njoroge explained that waste management is one of the most significant challenges in the area. “Our research showed that 72% of household waste is organic, 22% is recyclable, and the remaining is toxic. The Black Soldier Fly units aim to address the organic waste generated in Mukuru.”
The project plans to develop a waste management system that begins at the household level and extends to the processing units. “We segregate the waste; all organic material is processed, killing harmful insects before introducing black soldier flies to consume it. Within 14 days, they transform the waste into organic fertilizer,” Njoroge added.
Addressing Waste Management Challenges
Nairobi faces significant waste management issues, with few designated dumpsites. Njoroge hopes to process waste locally rather than transport it away. “By managing waste here, we can mitigate flooding, which the community identified as a major concern during the rainy season,” he explained. Proper waste handling is also crucial for preventing pollution of the Ngong River and reducing methane emissions that contribute to climate change.
The initiative not only helps the community but also provides livelihood opportunities for youth involved in waste processing. “The larvae produced are protein-rich and suitable for animal feed, while the organic fertilizers are also in demand,” Njoroge mentioned, noting that they currently sell 1 kg of dry larvae for Sh120 and 1 kg of organic fertilizer for Sh80.
Despite Kenya’s laws on waste management, enforcement remains a challenge. The Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022, enacted on July 6, 2022, promotes sustainable practices to ensure a clean environment and reduce pollution. It mandates waste segregation at the household level, with penalties for non-compliance.
The new waste management strategy aims for 5% of waste to be incinerated, 30% recycled, and 60% converted into manure, with only 5% sent to landfills. David Kinyanjui, a trained youth managing the units, confirmed their efforts in waste segregation and processing: “We ensure all organic waste is dealt with effectively, ultimately producing high-quality organic fertilizer rich in potassium and calcium.”
Kinyanjui added that the three-month training equipped them with valuable skills in agribusiness.
