The Nairobi City County government has partnered with the
Rwandan High Commission in an effort to improve cleanliness in the city.
Rwandan
High Commissioner to Kenya James Kimonyo said that the partnership has
been informed by the need to replicate the steps taken by his country in
keeping its environment clean.
Mr
Kimonyo said that Rwanda was one of the first countries to ban the use
of plastic bags in 2007 before Kenya followed suit last in 2017, adding
that the country has also become the first in the region to commission
an ICT waste plant that has offered a solution to dangerous electronic
waste coming with the information age.
“We
are happy to continue this national exercise with Rwandans living here
in Nairobi but most importantly we have agreed with the county
government that this exercise can only be a success if it’s done in
partnership with its administration,” said Mr Kimonyo.
Cleaning exercise
He
was speaking during the marking of ‘Umuganda’, a general cleaning
exercise, on Saturday at the Rwandan Embassy premises along Limuru Road,
Gigiri, as part of activities to mark the 24th Heroes Day anniversary.
The ambassador said that Nairobi is currently
in a big solid waste management hole and unless a quick and sustainable
solution is found, the health risks associated with garbage and
contaminated water will continue to beleaguer its people.
“Kigali
boasts as one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the world with no
litter. Our secret has been in behaviour change as a result of strict
enforcement practice in our country,” said Kimonyo who was quick to
recall that Rwanda was in the same state as Kenya some 14 years ago but
thanks to the cleaning exercise which started in 2004.
He said it is possible for Kenya to be green as well.
Joint community cleaning exercise
On
his part, assistant director of Environment at City Hall, Mr David
Makori, said that the city county government has plans to mobilise
residents every month to participate in a joint community cleaning
exercise as part of sensitising Nairobians on environmental management.
“The governor is glad to be associated with the Umuganda cleaning exercise and has committed to working with partners to help bring back Nairobi to its lost glory.
“We
are ready to work with Rwanda to help in solid waste management since
you have shown to the rest of the world and Africa how it is done,” said
Mr Makori.
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