The Authority launched its Construction & Demolition Waste Management Strategy at the 12th World Urban Forum, held from November 4-8, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt. The NCA team was led by the General Manager, Construction Research, Business Development, and Capacity Building, Dr. Chrispus Ndinyo who was accompanied by the Manager, Construction Research and Business Development, Dr. Eng. Meshack O. Otieno, Ph.D., Assistant Manager, Business Development, Christopher Khaoya, and Senior Research Officer, Angeline Mwende.

The launch was also attended by, among others, their Excellencies the Governors of Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties, Hon. Gideon Mung'aro and Hon. Andrew Mwadime, respectively.

The Strategy was developed by the Authority in collaboration with UN-Habitat from a research study on construction waste management titled Towards a Circular Economy Model. According to the study, construction and demolition waste generation has been identified as a major issue in both rural and urban centers due to its direct impact on the environment and the inefficiencies within the construction industry. It is a direct consequence of rapid urbanization around the world.

The study further recommends improving the quality of recycling and recovery of existing waste streams to increase the demand for secondary raw materials. Maintaining materials and resources within the economy for as long as possible will ensure a proper transition toward a circular economy. The Construction and Demolition Waste Management Strategy and its national implementation framework will focus on diverting construction and demolition waste from municipal landfills into more productive uses, targeting 20% recovery and recycling within sites over the next five-year implementation period.

The immediate benefits of implementing this strategy include preventing, reducing, and mitigating environmental risks caused by ineffective construction and demolition waste management and safeguarding sustainable development initiatives. The strategy provides feasible options for applying the best available technologies and best environmental practices (BEP) in managing construction and demolition waste materials.

The Authority envisions a multi-agency approach to the successful implementation of this strategy, with counties taking a central role in construction and demolition waste management, as per the devolved constitutional function.