Nairobi, 24th August 2024
The Environment Sub Sector today teamed up with partners, Community Based organizations, Nairobi business community and other stakeholders for a major clean up drive in the Central Business District (CBD) and other wards within Starehe Sub-County.
Today’s clean-up operation involved not only sweeping, litter collection, drain cleaning and vegetation management, but also awareness creation where traders and residents were sensitized against illegal dumping and littering.
Green Nairobi County Executive Committee Member Ms. Maureen Njeri who spearheaded the clean-up exercise said that today’s operation aimed at promoting collective responsibility of taking care of the environment as well as showing that the County is committed to making sure the city is clean.
“We have come together collectively as Nairobi County staff and the community so that we can clean our City. We are experiencing a serious challenge of illegal dumping that has made the city dirty and that is why we are coming together to be able to bear the responsibility of taking care of the environment that we all depend on.” Said Ms. Njeri.
The Green Nairobi CECM noted that with the increased cases of illegal dumping in the CBD and city’s neighborhoods, there was a lot of culture and attitude change needed to address the issue.
“We want to make sure that we instill the culture of being able to manage own generated waste responsibly to our residents and business community, so that we can maintain a clean city hence enjoy a healthy environment which is a right for everybody. Environmental management is a service that comes with a lot of commitment and dedication. I want to assure you that this exercise that has begun today will continue in the coming days and months across all other Sub-Counties” Added the Green Nairobi boss.
Ms. Njeri informed the participants who came out in good numbers that the law calls for every business owner to have a responsibility of cleaning their trading spaces within10 meter radius.
“I urge each and every one generating waste in the City to make it their responsibility in managing their environment. I also want to encourage all residents of Nairobi to come out in large numbers whenever there is such clean up initiatives and support the County in cleaning the environment” she said.
The CECM said that Governor Sakaja has supported the Green Nairobi Sector by providing trucks for waste collection, adding that more refuse compactors are expected soon to aid in the Waste collection.
Ms. Njeri also commended her Chief Officer Mr. Geoffrey Mosiria for the work he has started, noting that the environment Subsector is moving in the right direction. She also appreciated the green army team for working tirelessly every day in making Nairobi clean.
Speaking at the same event, the Environment Chief Officer Mr. Geoffrey Mosiria called on every person to be responsible for their own waste, saying that a clean environment will benefit all.
The County Executive Committee Member for Talent, Skills Development and Care Mr. Brian Mulama hailed the environment team for the transformation they are bringing in the city, urging the staff to carry out their assignments diligently.
The CBD Member of the County assembly Hon. Mwaniki Kwenya who was also in attendance, commended today’s clean up drive and called for more such activities to make Nairobi clean.
Other areas where the clean-up exercise took place today include; Land Mawe ward, Kariokor ward, Pangani ward and Uhuru Park.
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