Joblessness pushes young people to dumpsite for survival

Kapsabet, Thursday, May 18, 2023

KNA by Laban Kiplimo/Geoffrey Satia

Many young people in Kapsabet town have resorted to collecting plastic bottles and scrap metals in Kapsabet dumpsite as an income generating activity following the high rates of joblessness.

The job that has less competition has offered refuge to several young people who are not accommodated by other informal employment sectors.

The dumpsite that occupies about a half an acre is a workplace to about 30 young people who earn a living through the job that looks scary to many. Despite the place being an eyesore, it is credited for helping several people put food on the table during this tough economic time.

The plastic bottles and scrap metal collectors in Kapsabet dumpsite came out to explain how the job that is hated by many enables them to make as high as Sh 12,000 monthly on a good month.

Individuals at the dumpsite, especially young men, have to endure the stench of the dumpsite daily with determination that their job is good to anyone who is willing to overlook the discomfort.

A man, who identified himself as Irungu, said he has derived his livelihood from the dumpsite for the last 18 years and has never fallen sick or at least suffered from any illness that can be directly linked to his job.

Surprisingly, he admits that the stench from the dumpsite does not inconvenience him in any way as he has become accustomed to it.

“It is easier to look for plastic bottles here than walking around town looking,” says Irungu.

He cited transportation problems as the main reason behind their choice of the dumpsite as a place to look for plastic bottles and other useful materials as opposed to doing so elsewhere.

Despite Irungu being skilled enough to work in a construction site, he says that job opportunities are few there.

However, he sometimes works in construction sites when the opportunity comes knocking though that rarely happens. He says that his main source of income is collecting recycled items at the dumpsite for sale.

Despite working at the dumpsite putting food on their table, the job is yet to be recognized by the government judging by the working conditions there.

Frequent disagreements and fights among themselves witnessed at the dumpsite have made the trade dangerous and unpredictable according to Irungu.

Irungu says that he constantly faces harassment from rogue colleagues as there is no order in the workplace.

In as much as work at the dumpsite is a despised job, many people do not know that these individuals help in environmental conservation as they are at the forefront in recycling plastics which would otherwise release toxins into the environment.

Failure to earn employment even in the informal sector is pushing many young people to distress which results in mental problems, a worrying trend in many counties if not checked soon.

With the help of technology and well financing plans, counties are obliged to turn such areas as dumpsites and sewage system plants into productive sites which can employ young workers.

Ideas of turning dumpsite refuse into power generating schemes are also welcome ideas in counties. This will be a sure way of conserving the environment through recycling of used materials into useful service or goods.

Courtesy; K.N.A