Eastleigh

Nairobi County, partners participate in cleanup exercise on Eastleigh streets

Members of the Nairobi Green Army and Mazingira Movement cleanup General Wariungi street in Eastleigh. (Abdirahman Khalif)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Saturday, March 23, 2024

The crew started with Muratina Road in the early morning hours, then proceeded to General Wariungi Street, then later moved on to the ever-busy Yusuf Haji Road

In a concerted effort to address the longstanding issue of garbage menace in Eastleigh, the County Government of Nairobi, in partnership with the Mazingira Movement and local community members, embarked on a thorough cleanup campaign on Saturday.

They were armed with brooms, spades, and wheelbarrows and flanked by several trucks and excavators as they participated in the cleanup initiative, which started at 9 am. The exercise targeted key areas notorious for waste buildup.

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The crew started with Muratina Road in the early morning hours, then proceeded to General Wariungi Street, then later moved on to the ever-busy Yusuf Haji Road, cleaning and collecting garbage.

The collection point at St. Teresa's area, where garbage had pilled up, was also cleared. Mazingira Movement installed several dustbins at St. Teresa's Boys School.

Vivian Moraa, the environmental officer of Eastleigh North Ward, confirmed the cleanup operation saw roads cleared of debris, garbage collected, and sewage systems unclogged.

Members of the Nairobi Green Army and mazingira movement cleanup Yusuf Haji Road in Eastleigh. (Abdirahman Khalif)

Speaking to Eastleigh Voice, Moraa outlined plans to establish designated garbage collection areas within Eastleigh and begin a weekly cleanup routine to maintain the area's cleanliness.

However, Moraa highlighted that the biggest challenge faced by the cleaning team was the scarcity of suitable locations for installing bins.

"Nobody wants a collection point to be established near their premises, and we lack sufficient dustbins," Moraa lamented, underscoring the challenges in maintaining cleanliness in densely populated areas like Eastleigh.

The cleanup effort holds huge significance for Eastleigh residents, who have long grappled with the adverse effects of widespread waste disposal. The indiscriminate dumping of garbage along roadsides and in residential areas has raised concerns about public health and safety.

Solomon Boraya, the support staff of the Green Army, a body formed by the Nairobi County Government to clean the streets, attributed the garbage problem to a combination of factors, including irresponsible waste disposal by residents, hawkers, and shoppers. Boraya also attributed it to the involvement of street children, who collect garbage from businesses and hotels for a small fee before dumping it on the streets.

Expressing frustration with the current state of affairs, Boraya called for collaboration between businesses and registered community-based organizations (CBOs) to manage waste disposal more effectively.

"There are registered CBOs that are contracted to collect garbage instead of relying on street children," Boraya emphasized, advocating for a more structured approach to waste management.

As Eastleigh endeavors to tackle its waste management challenges head-on, today's cleanup campaign serves as a testament to the power of community collaboration and civic engagement. With ongoing efforts to establish sustainable waste management practices and foster a culture of environmental stewardship, residents remain hopeful for a cleaner, healthier future for their neighborhood.