UNEP’s Regional Office for Africa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources through the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Nairobi City Council, several environmental groups and schools will mark the event with a number of activities in Huruma Estate and its environs on Saturday, 15 September 2007.
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The Clean Up in Nairobi will be one among a number of similar events planned throughout the country. There will be activities in Mombasa, Malindi, Kakamega, Migori and other major towns. As usual the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya will also be having activities in other towns where they are active.
Huruma estate is an eastern suburb in Starehe Division of Nairobi. Over the years, some informal settlements (slum) have sprung up in the area. This informal part of Huruma consists of six villages: Kambi Moto, Mahira, Redeemed, Ghetto, Gitathuru and Madoya, all built on land belonging to the Nairobi City Council. The settlements have been in existence for as long as 28 years. The settlements occupy a total land area of 4.117 hectares.
Choice of Huruma as main site for Clean Up activities in Nairobi
Huruma estate and its environs has been chosen to host this year's Clean Up the World campaign in Nairobi because of the serious environmental problems, in particular solid waste management and sanitation issues that affect this area and which often can be noticed on the way through Juja road and the nearby Mathare river, a tributary of the main Nairobi River. These challenges are as a result of the rising human population in the area and the whole of Nairobi and its related human developmental activities. Huruma’s sewage system is so poor, if it functions at all, that most of the sewage flows directly into the nearby river. To make matters worse, the River provides a source of water to some residents.
It is hoped that the clean up will contribute to educating and sensitizing the residents of Huruma to advocate for proper disposal and management of garbage in the area. It will also help in sensitizing the residents on the dangers of using the water form the nearby Mathare River.
Activities
The event will begin with a procession from St. Teresa’s school near Eastleigh and proceed through Juja road to Lions Club Clinic in Huruma, the venue for the rest of the day’s activities. This will be followed by a clean up at the Huruma grounds and its environs and tree planting. Later on there will be entertainment and speeches from invited guests. The event is expected to be attended by officials from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Director General-National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), UNEP, private sector, civil society and area residents.
For More Information Please Contact:
Information Officer,
UNEP Regional Office for Africa,
Tel: (254 20) 762 4292,
E-mail: roa.information.officer@unep.org