Etaya Governor’s Park: How Kisii Turned A Former Dumpsite Into A Public Green Space

Story by Monyonge O’kebati

A site in the heart of Kisii that was once associated with heaps of garbage and environmental concerns has been given a new purpose following its transformation into Etaya Governor’s Park.

The park stands on the former Nyambera dumpsite, a site that had for years been used for disposal of waste within Kisii town. Its conversion marks a significant change in how the county is approaching urban environmental management and the use of public spaces.

The new park has been incorporated into the Kisii County Government’s development plans as a recreational and community space, with the county describing Governor’s Park as a hub for young people and community activities.

The transformation comes at a time when Kisii is grappling with the challenge of managing growing volumes of urban waste. Governor Paul Simba Arati has said Kisii generates roughly 200 tonnes of waste every day, with the amount increasing on busy market days.

From Waste Ground To Public Space

For residents who remember Nyambera as a waste disposal site, the emergence of a green recreational area represents a visible change in the town’s landscape.

The county government has linked the project to efforts to reduce the environmental and public-health risks associated with poorly managed waste.

The redevelopment was showcased during the 2026 World Cleanup Day celebrations held in Kisii on September 20, bringing national attention to the county’s waste-management initiatives.

The project also comes alongside efforts to move Kisii away from a system that depends heavily on dumping waste towards one that promotes separation, recovery and recycling.

A Bigger Waste Management Plan

The park is only one part of the county’s wider environmental programme.

Kisii has also established a Materials Recovery Facility at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre, designed to process waste and recover materials that can be reused or recycled. The facility has a reported processing capacity of up to 50 tonnes of waste per day and includes a Black Soldier Fly unit for converting organic waste into animal feed and organic fertiliser.

The county says it is also encouraging households and businesses to separate waste at source so that recyclable and organic materials can be recovered instead of being sent to disposal sites.

More Than A Park

The significance of Etaya Governor’s Park goes beyond landscaping.

It reflects a broader question facing rapidly growing towns across Kenya: how can urban authorities create healthier living environments while dealing with increasing amounts of waste?

For Kisii, the answer is being demonstrated through the conversion of a former dumpsite into a public space while simultaneously investing in waste recovery infrastructure.

The county has identified the park among its flagship projects, alongside initiatives in infrastructure, health and industrial development.

The long-term success of the project, however, will depend on continued maintenance of the park and effective waste-management practices across Kisii town.

For residents, Etaya Governor’s Park now offers a different image of the location — one where a place once dominated by waste is being repositioned as a space for recreation, community activities and environmental restoration.