Eastleigh

Residents, county officials and KDF officers team up in California Ward cleanup

Community members, county officials, and KDF officers clean up a section of California Ward in Kamukunji Sub-county, Nairobi, on June 26, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif/EV)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Participants swept roads and corridors, collected garbage, and planted trees.

Community members and county officials cleaned up a section of California Ward in Kamukunji Constitutuency on Wednesday morning, from General Wariungi Street to the Mohamed Yusuf Haji Avenue.

Officers from the Kenya Defence Forces' Airforce wing at the Eastleigh Airbase also joined the exercise that began at 9 am, with participating sweeping roads and corridors, collecting garbage, and planting trees.

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Kamukunji Sub-county Environment Officer Noah Ng'eno, Deputy Enforcement Officer Kevin Oleitiptip, California Assistant Chief Angela Nzioki, Kamukunji Constituency Manager Idah Munene, and California Ward Environment Officer Faith Kithinji, led the initiative.

Oleitiptip emphasised the need for residents to address the garbage problem themselves, mentioning plans for environmental awareness and educating residents on the importance of not dumping garbage on the roads.

"We shall be creating awareness on environmental activities and sensitizing residents on the importance of keeping the environment clean," he told The Eastleigh Voice.

Ng'eno expressed gratitude to all participants, including community-based organisations that help manage California's garbage menace. He warned residents who contribute to the problem by hiring street families to collect garbage, which is then dumped on roads.

Community members, county officials, and KDF officers clean up a section of California Ward in Kamukunji Sub-county, Nairobi, on June 26, 2024. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif/EV)

The environment officer further called on the business community to assist in maintaining cleanliness in Eastleigh and the larger Kamukunji area.

"We are requesting all business communities, including the EBDA, to help us deal with the garbage problem and keep our environment clean," he said.

The Green Army, formed to address the garbage problem, has been caught on camera several times dumping garbage on major roads within Eastleigh, leading to complaints.

Ng'eno noted that this will no longer happen as they will designate specific areas for garbage collection before it is picked up by county trucks.

Nzioki stressed the need for residents to keep their environments clean, noting that the garbage originated from the community.

The assistant chief also praised the cleanup effort stating that it was a positive initiative

"I am happy that everyone took part in cleaning their environment. We have to keep California clean and plant trees as directed by the President," he said.

Eastleigh and surrounding areas have long struggled with garbage problems, with illegal dumping being a major challenge.

The Eastleigh Business District Association (EBDA) has promised to conduct cleanup exercises at the end of each month to ensure the business hub remains clean.