By Brenda Holo
The County Government of Siaya, through the Department of Water, Irrigation, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, has officially launched the implementation of a KSh 17.6 million clean cooking and waste management project at Mbaga Mission Complex under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.
During a project inception meeting held at Bishop Okoth Mbaga Girls' Secondary School, stakeholders were taken through the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) by the contractor, Jeypad Developers Limited, outlining the scope of works to be undertaken within a four-month implementation period.
The project, officially titled *Clean and Sustainable Energy Supply for Institutional Clean Cooking at Mbaga Mission Complex*, seeks to promote climate resilience, improve sanitation, enhance water conservation, and provide sustainable energy solutions for the institution.
Key components of the project include the construction of a biogas digester that will convert biodegradable solid waste into clean cooking gas. The system will also produce organic fertilizer from dried waste residues, supporting environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
An Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) digester will be constructed to treat wastewater from toilet facilities. The system will effectively separate and break down waste while retaining solids and treating both grey water and black water through natural biological processes.
To further enhance resource efficiency, the project will establish a wastewater recycling system. Wastewater will undergo filtration and polishing processes to remove odors and suspended particles before being stored in a 50,000-litre tank. The treated water will then be reused for irrigation and toilet flushing, significantly reducing water consumption.
Additional works include the separation of grey water and black water systems, construction of a laundry point, installation of a 25,000-litre elevated water storage tower, rehabilitation of existing toilet facilities, and erection of project signposts.
Stakeholders raised several recommendations during the meeting, including the incorporation of audio-visual facilities to enhance inclusivity, exploration of the possibility of utilizing excess biogas energy for street lighting, and consideration of a borehole to strengthen water security at the institution.
The meeting was attended by North Alego Ward Administrator Mrs. Grace Obonyo, Principal of Bishop Okoth Girls' Mbaga Secondary School Mrs Joyce Omondi, community members, County Environmental Technical Officers, and other stakeholders. Members of the Ward Climate Change Planning Committee were also elected during the session to strengthen local participation in climate action planning and project oversight.
Once completed, the FLLoCA-funded project is expected to serve as a model for integrated waste management and clean energy solutions, contributing to improved sanitation, sustainable energy production, environmental conservation, and climate resilience in Siaya County.