Five teams have embarked on a citywide clean-up exercise in Eldoret and its environs as part of final preparations for Saturday’s 200,000-tree-growing challenge during the 2026 Mazingira Day celebrations.
The exercise, which targeted key roads, residential areas and the Central Business District (CBD), formed part of a week-long series of environmental conservation activities ahead of the national celebrations scheduled to take place at the Defence Forces Recruits Training School (DFRTS) in Eldoret.
The teams were deployed along five designated routes from the Uasin Gishu County headquarters to different destinations, with Deputy County Commissioners leading the operations.
Route One covered the stretch from the county headquarters to Hawaii, while Route Two extended to Huruma and Route Three to Jamboni.
Route Four covered the route from the county headquarters to King’s Square under the leadership of the Kapseret Deputy County Commissioner, while Route Five focused on the Central Business District.
Speaking during the launch of the exercise at the County headquarters, Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale, accompanied by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education Anthony Sitienei, said the initiative was aimed at ensuring Eldoret remained clean and attractive as the city prepared to host this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations.
Dr. Nyale underscored the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining a clean environment, noting that environmental cleanliness was critical to safeguarding public health, protecting ecosystems and improving the quality of life for residents.
He commended the planning committee and stakeholders for mobilising resources and coordinating activities to ensure the success of the Mazingira Day celebrations.
The County Commissioner urged all participating institutions, organisations and residents to actively support the clean-up exercise and sustain the culture of environmental responsibility beyond the celebrations.
He noted that maintaining a clean city was particularly important as Eldoret prepared to host national events expected to attract visitors from across the country.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Uasin Gishu County Director Solomon Kihiu also commended stakeholders for their contribution to the week-long environmental conservation activities leading up to Mazingira Day.
Kihiu said the activities began on Monday with tree planting, followed by quarry site restoration, greening of highways, beautification of highways and the Friday clean-up exercise.
The activities are intended to promote environmental conservation, restore degraded areas and enhance the city’s appearance ahead of the national celebrations.
The clean-up exercise set the stage for Saturday’s 200,000-tree-growing challenge, which is expected to reinforce the government’s environmental conservation agenda and encourage communities to participate in tree growing and the protection of natural resources.
The 2026 Mazingira Day celebrations will be held at DFRTS in Eldoret, with stakeholders expected to use the occasion to promote sustainable environmental practices and strengthen public participation in conservation efforts.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Brian Seronei
