To mark World Environment Day, the Ngong community converged at the Ngong transport terminus, from where they combed the town, picking up plastic trash and cleaning up the areas for a better environment.
World Environment Day is marked to raise awareness about pressing environmental issues, encouraging sustainable practices and mobilising governments, organisations, and individuals to contribute to a healthier planet.
World Environment Day is an annual event held on June 5th, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and it serves as a call to action for individuals, organisations, and governments to take meaningful steps toward environmental protection and sustainability.
The theme for this year is “Ending Plastic Pollution”, which highlights the urgent need to reduce plastic waste and promote eco-friendly alternatives.
The event was organised by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in collaboration with the Ngong municipality.
Speaking on the activity, Head of the Environment Unit at IGAD Eugene Kayijamahe informed the public on the dangers of plastic to the environment.
“People prefer to use plastic because it is cheap, but it has dangerous effects on our lives. They are non-biodegradable, and therefore they pollute our rivers and affect us negatively,” warned Kayijamahe.
IGAD’s Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Dennis Oyunge told KNA that IGAD, in collaboration with Kajiado county government, would engage in awareness creation and come up with regulations to improve the cleanliness of the environment.
“We have capacity-building workshops where we have targeted the local community on environmental cleanliness and preservation through the community-based organisations around Ngong and its environs,” said Oyunge.
The Chairman of Mbagathi Water Resources User Association (WRUA), Gideon Sekento, said that some of the actions they take towards ensuring the environment is clean are sensitising people living around towns and in villages on proper waste management.
He urged the public to protect the environment and prevent the harmful effects of plastic pollution, saying that “A clean environment is the responsibility of all Kenyans, irrespective of your job or position in the society.”
Ngong Division Assistant County Commissioner Mule Komora thanked the community who volunteered to join in the clean-up and participated in the day.
Kajiado North is actively working to enhance environmental conservation through various initiatives. Tree planting has been a major focus, with over 150,000 seedlings planted countywide, including 20,000 in Entarara Forest to restore biodiversity and combat deforestation.
In addition, the county is implementing waste management improvements, with a new facility in Ngong set to replace the current dumpsite, reducing pollution and improving urban sanitation.
By Lizzie Auma
