Adding Tech to Waste Management; How M-taka is Changing the Face of Kisumu

BY TOBIAS BELLE

For Benson Abila, Primafacie Mutua, George Bush, and all the visionary minds at M-taka, it’s more than just business It’s a movement, a revolution to transform the lakeside city of Kisumu into a clean, circular, and environmentally conscious city

M-taka is a tech-integrated waste management social enterprise that addresses the plastic waste challenge and other recyclables through education, collection, and increased recycling practices Their innovative approach combines social incentives, community engagement, and data analytics to promote behaviour change and sustainable waste management practices

“Our goal is to transform perceptions of waste, improve livelihoods, and contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future We believe that by harnessing technology, social incentives, and a shift in behaviors, we can foster a sustainable circular economy for a greener future,” affirms Benson Abila, the founder of M-taka

M-taka’s approach goes beyond waste management by fostering social change, dignifying waste work, and promoting responsible waste segregation This holistic approach, they believe, bears the greatest social, environmental, and economic impact. Through the Mtaka app, which is available on Google Play Store, they facilitate the collection, aggregation, and value addition of recyclables, from plastics, glass, and paper

The enterprise offers their services to waste generators, including households, businesses, and institutions who produce and recycle waste They aim at utilizing technology to provide real-time information, raise awareness, incentivize responsible waste management behaviors, and improve welfare of waste actors

“Central to our approach is the strategic utilization of data, which empowers us to propel positive change and drive policy conversations So far, we have collected and directed over 103 tonnes of recyclables towards proper recycling We have educated over 1,140 women and 460 men at household and community level on waste management, and trained over 75 women as recycling agents,” says Primafacie