First Lady Rachel Ruto revealed at the Organization of African First Ladies Development (OAFLAD) in Maputo, Mozambique, on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, that President William Ruto is set to launch an initiative to convert Nairobi’s waste into electricity. The project, a collaboration between the County and National governments, aims to address the significant waste management challenges faced by the country.

During her address, the First Lady highlighted the urgent need for waste management, citing the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) reports, which indicate that Kenya generates an estimated 22,000 tonnes of waste daily. She elaborated on the government’s plan, stating, “In partnership with Nairobi County, the government aims to clean the city of Nairobi by converting waste refuse into electricity. Many other waste management initiatives are being run at the county government level.”

Rachel Ruto also highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting clean energy, including efforts to convert plastic waste into useful products. She emphasized, “The State is determined to promote the use of clean energy, especially in cooking, as well as converting plastic waste into products such as roofing tiles and fencing posts.”

If successful, the project will significantly contribute to President Ruto’s vision to advance clean energy use in the country. Under his leadership, initiatives such as promoting cooking gas and lowering the price of gas cylinders to Ksh300 have been championed, with plans underway to introduce piped gas in Kenyan homes.

Furthermore, Rachel Ruto also shared her commitment to supporting education and children’s rights through her Mama Doing Good project, advocating for free meals for students and championing access to education. “As a champion and voice for children in Kenya, I am advocating for a right to education for all children with a focus on influencing policy directions that remove barriers to school enrollment attendance and transition,” she concluded.