Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) and the IKEA Foundation embarked on a two-week monitoring exercise to gauge the progress and strides of the Sustainable Waste Innovation for a Future in Transition (SWIFT) Programme. Launched in February this year, the programme seeks to transform the waste management sector in Kenya through tailored support to waste entrepreneurs and policy strengthening. This is intended at accelerating the country’s transition to a circular and green economy.
On the policy front, the SWIFT programme is working with Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, and Kisumu to strengthen sustainable waste management policies and incentivise both public and private invovement in the sector.
In the first week of the monitoring process, the IKEA Foundation team joined a bootcamp organized for the programme’s first cohort of 57 entrepreneurs. The week-long initiative was a critical component of KCIC support to the SMEs, featuring intensive capacity building and training, interaction with government institutions and regulatory bodies, peer learning, and collaborative sessions.
During the bootcamp, an exhibition of products and services by a few of the entrepreneurs enabled the team to interact with some of the best innovations in the waste sector. Earlier, the KCIC and the IKEA Foundation team made a courtesy visit to the Nairobi County Government, engaging the officials on the county priorities in waste management and support to entrepreneurs in the sector.
Similarly in Mombasa County, the team held strategic discussions with the county government, exploring priority areas in sustainable waste management, policy bottlenecks, and possible areas of synergy and collaboration.
The need for both financial and non-financial incentives was emphasized as a way of promoting waste-related innovations, and ensuring entrepreneurs have resources and motivation to develop new solutions.
A visit to some of the SWIFT programme beneficiaries at the coast revealed the strides the businesses are making, and their growth aspirations through SWIFT. Baus Taka, Go Green, and Jill Industries are a testament to the economic potential of waste and why public awareness creation on waste management is critical.
The intersection of policy, infrastructure development, and investment emerged as a crucial way of supporting waste management initiatives. A cohesive approach that integrates these elements, it was noted, can create a robust framework for sustainable waste management practices.
Discussions at the coastal city also revealed the massive opportunities for private sector involvement in composting and other waste management activities. The involvement of private companies in bringing expertise, innovation, and additional resources was pointed as a critical way of enhancing the overall waste management ecosystem.
The IKEA Foundation team’s visit was a significant step in strengthening the interventions of the programme, and building stronger partnerships across various sectors. The discussions with the County Government of Mombasa and Nairobi and feedback from supported enterprises provided valuable insights for future initiatives. The collaboration between KCIC, the IKEA Foundation, government, and the private sector is one that will undoubtedly play a crucial role in creating a sustainable and effective waste management ecosystem.
The IKEA Foundation team included Vivek Singh-Programme Lead Livelihoods, Patrick Obonyo-Programme Manager, Nic van der Jagt-Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation Manager, and Surrani Kali – Grants Operations Manager.
The KCIC team was led by CEO Joseph Murabula, Felix Magaju (Director of Programmes), Ernest Chitechi(Corporate Services), Jabez Mutune(Programme Manager), Vincent Ogaya(Policy and Research), Elizabeth Odima(Business Analyst), among others.
