Transforming Waste Management and Creating Jobs in Kenya
Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), presented a bold initiative during the 9th edition of the Kenya Devolution Conference 2025 (DevCon2025). The plan aims to revolutionize waste management across Kenya while generating thousands of jobs annually.
According to Dr. Agyepong, the strategy involves clustering operations into regional counties through Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of JGC. This approach is designed to streamline waste management efforts by grouping about five counties under a single integrated waste facility. With Kenya’s population of approximately 57 million producing around 28,000 tonnes of waste daily, this method promises greater efficiency and effectiveness.
The proposal has received widespread support at DevCon2025, which was held in Homa Bay County. Dr. Agyepong emphasized that the clustering strategy could lead to the creation of over 52,000 jobs each year. These jobs would come from various sectors, including:
- 30,000 jobs from waste collection, transportation, and sweeping
- 21,000 jobs from the operation of integrated waste management plants
- 1,800 jobs related to green initiatives, data collection, monitoring, and validation within the carbon market
Dr. Agyepong also highlighted the importance of leveraging Zoomlion’s successful operations in Ghana. He stated that “Ghana and Kenya can build and sustain efficient waste management systems within counties.” Furthermore, he stressed that there is no such thing as “waste”—only misplaced resources that can be recovered and recycled for the benefit of the people.
He expressed confidence that by 2027, Jospong will be able to showcase evidence of plants installed across all participating countries. His address concluded with a two-minute video from Zoomlion Ghana Limited, which was met with enthusiastic applause from the conference delegates.
Key Highlights from DevCon2025
DevCon2025, organized by the Council of Governors, brought together over 11,000 participants, including government officials, county governors, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society members, and international stakeholders. Notable attendees included President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, all 47 county governors, members of the county assemblies, and the Senate.
The four-day conference, held from August 12 to 15, 2025, had the theme: “For the People, For Prosperity: Devolution as a Catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice.” It also featured the sub-theme: “Reengineering County Governments to Accelerate Development and Close the Socio-Economic Divide.”
This was the first time a West African conglomerate, specifically the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) from Ghana, participated in Kenya’s Devolution Conference. President Ruto opened the event by emphasizing the transformative impact of devolution on equity, empowerment, and community participation.
He outlined plans for the Kenyan government to prepare investment procedures for key priority counties, aiming to highlight opportunities and support investor engagement both locally and internationally. Additionally, he mentioned four sector packages—legal, business process outsourcing, mobility, and textiles—that would help build end-to-end value chain ecosystems, increasing local incomes and creating job opportunities for young people.
President Ruto also called for strengthening capacity in the counties by building skilled expertise and employing necessary technologies for effective service delivery. He acknowledged that while resources may be limited, their effective utilization is crucial for delivering meaningful services to the people.
On the issue of corruption, the President urged an all-hands-on-deck approach, stating that the fight against corruption must be a hallmark of governance. He emphasized the need for the judiciary to remain free from corruption, highlighting the alarming trend of individuals stealing from public coffers without facing consequences.
EU Ambassador’s Perspective on Devolution
Henrietta Geiger, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kenya, called for a paradigm shift in the devolution conversation, emphasizing the need for focus on delivery. She stated that devolved governments can only succeed if they are transparent and accountable. According to her, devolution should not be confined to the central level but should reach every county and community.
Geiger also stressed the importance of involving citizens in the devolution and decentralization process. She commended the Council of Governors and the County Governors for driving Kenya’s devolution journey and assured continued EU support for Kenya’s development agenda.
