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Two Kenyan towns have received a total of Sh1.7 billion from the French Government to help them manage their waste.

Of the amount, Mombasa Municipal Council has received Sh1 billion to go towards solid waste management while Nakuru Municipal Council will utilise the balance for similar purposes, Local Government minister Musalia Mudavadi announced Tuesday.

Mr Mudavadi also revealed that the Kisumu Municipal Council has also opened negotiations with the French government towards obtaining similar funding for its solid waste management, but he could not state when such funding would be available.

Speaking during a function to hand over Nakuru Municipal Council the rights to host this year Kenya Inter-Municipality Sports and Cultural Association (KIMSCA) gamers set for August 15 – 22, Mr Mudavadi said his ministry had also tabled a proposal to the cabinet seeking permission to engage the private sector and other development partners in the relocation of the Dandora dumpsite.

“We need the cabinet’s approval to engage our development partners in relocating the Dandora dumpsite and utilising technology to convert the waste at the dumpsite into more useful material,” said Mr Mudavadi.

The minister, at the same time, maintained that there was need for the Nairobi City Council to identify an alternative site for a cemetery.

“The cemetery problem still remains and once all the procedures (for the acquisition of a new land for cemetery) have been done in accordance with the law, we shall initiate the process,” Mr Mudavadi said.

City Hall is currently divided over plans to utilise another Sh150 million for the purchase of land to be used as a cemetery.

The proposal to allocate the amount for a new cemetery has received resistance from a section of councillors led by deputy mayor George Aladwa who argue that it was sending the wrong signal to Nairobians coming hot on the heels of the Sh280 million cemetery scandal.

Mr Mudavadi warned that those found to have been involved in the Sh280 million cemetery scandal will be prosecuted.