Dandora estate became the latest focus of an environmental clean-up campaign spearheaded by the Spouse to the Deputy President, Dr. Joyce Kithure, as part of a broader effort to restore cleanliness across Nairobi.
The exercise, held on Saturday under the Science Adding Value to the Environment and the Communities Initiative (SaVE), brought together community members, youth groups and partners in a bid to tackle waste management challenges in the city.
Addressing residents during the event, Dr. Kithure underscored the need for stronger partnerships between the government and citizens to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
“Nairobi is our capital city, and its cleanliness reflects who we are as a nation. Government alone cannot achieve this goal without the participation of the people,” she noted.
The Second Lady said the SaVE Communities Initiative is grounded on the belief that innovation, community participation and practical solutions can transform neighbourhoods and improve the quality of life for residents.
The programme seeks to address environmental challenges that continue to affect many urban settlements, including poor waste disposal, blocked drainage channels and flooding during rainy seasons.
Dr. Kithure told residents that environmental pollution should not only be viewed as an ecological issue but also a major public health concern affecting families and children.
“Poor sanitation exposes our communities to diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and other waterborne infections. Children are especially vulnerable, and as leaders and citizens, we have a duty to protect their health and their future,” she added.
She encouraged Nairobi residents to adopt a culture of shared responsibility when it comes to maintaining public spaces, noting that the effort to keep the city clean must extend beyond government policies.
“As we clean our houses every day, we must also extend the same responsibility to the spaces outside our homes i.e in the: streets, drainage channels, markets and public spaces where we live and work. A clean Nairobi will not come from policy alone; it will come from the collective effort of its citizens,” Dr. Kithure emphasised.
The clean-up campaign is expected to expand to several other estates across Nairobi as part of the initiative’s wider environmental agenda.
Dr. Kithure said communities in Kawangware, Mathare, Kibra, Korogocho, Mukuru and the Central Business District will also benefit from similar activities aimed at improving sanitation and environmental stewardship.
She also urged Kenyans to change their waste disposal habits to prevent garbage from clogging drainage systems and contributing to environmental degradation.
“Cleaning alone is not enough. We must also change our habits. Let us dispose of the waste responsibly. Let us avoid throwing plastics and garbage into drainage systems. Let us educate our children about protecting the environment. And let us support recycling and sustainable waste management,” she urged.
Dr. Kithure said lasting environmental change will depend on communities embracing responsible practices and working together to build cleaner, healthier and more sustainable cities.
