Communities in Machakos County staged a major clean-up and greening exercise along the Machakos-Wote Road in a unified push to promote environmental conservation, ahead of World Environment Day and as part of El Niño preparedness.
The exercise, held under the national theme of Citizen Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship, focused on clearing garbage, unclogging drainages and restoring the roadside ecosystem.
Officially launching the exercise, Machakos Deputy County Commissioner Machira Gathungu said environmental management requires collective responsibility.
“Having our environment clean is everyone’s responsibility. As we prepare for El Niño and mark World Environment Day, we must all unite, keep our surroundings clean, plant and nurture trees to combat climate change, and exercise caution around traffic while doing this work,” said Gathungu.
He emphasised that the coming together of different government departments demonstrates the government’s commitment to climate action and disaster preparedness.
The initiative brought together the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA), the County Government of Machakos, national administration officers and volunteers.
(TARDA) Regional Coordinator Gibson Mwakideu said his team was fully committed to the joint effort in preparation for World Environmental Day under the theme ‘Our Environment, Our Responsibility: Collective Action for Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship’.
“We are fully on board, and it is important for all departments to unite in cleaning and conserving the environment, especially as we prepare for El Niño and celebrate World Environment Day. This is how we protect our infrastructure and our people,” said Mwakideu.
County Forest Conservator Milka Mutua said the Machakos drive is part of a broader national conservation strategy that will culminate in World Environment Day celebrations at NYS Yatta and across all sub-counties.
“This local drive forms part of a broader national conservation strategy. By uniting to clean our highways and grow trees, we are not only beautifying our roads but also mitigating the effects of climate change and preparing for El Niño by ensuring our waterways are clear,” said Mutua.
Armed with brooms, rakes and garbage bags, participants and volunteers worked in synchronised formations along the dual carriageway, sweeping debris, silt and discarded plastics from road edges, drains and pedestrian walkways, visibly transforming the highway.
At the Machakos University entrance, students in reflective high-visibility vests and gloves joined community youth groups in collecting waste and loading it onto garbage trucks, underscoring the citizen-centric mandate of the campaign.
At Katumani Primary School, learners were engaged in tree planting and environmental education, highlighting the role of youth in long-term sustainability.
By Blessing Muoki and Anne Kangero
