‘Dont trash Kisumu’ exercise yet to kick off

Kisumu, Kenya: Controversy is brewing around the planned monthly clean-up exercise in Kisumu, with the business community complaining that the county government was soliciting funds for the exercise.

The much-hyped exercise that was launched by the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was to take place on the first Saturday of every month.

It was meant to provide a clean environment to the over 600,000 area residents, but seemingly died months ago due to poor planning.

A spot check around the city shows a sorry sight of affairs.

The main bus park is teeming with dirt, deposited by commuters, while street children while away time in the flowerbeds.

“Residents and traders are forced to put up with the foul smell emanating from open trenches and heaps of garbage, as street urchins mill around the park,” said Joyce Omollo, who sells dried fish at the bus park.                          

OPEN SEWERS

The Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) are now blaming the County Executive for Environment Rhoda Ahonobadha for the failed programme.

Kondele Ward rep Gabriel Ochieng said the executive should have brought a Bill guiding the exercise for it to be effective.

“The exercise was a decree by the Governor, and therefore lacks clear guidelines,” said Ochieng.

His counterpart for Migosi Ward Paul Achayo said the exercise would be in futility if there were no laws to protect it.

“There should have been a law stipulating that on that day, all shops and premises be closed for some hours, as the clean-up goes on,” said Achayo.

The situation has affected businesses operating in the city as street children urinate and even defecate in open trenches.

Oile market, which is just across the road, is not different as traders dump food remains by the roadside, which is undergoing construction.

Filth is also found in Kibuye and Kondele markets, Ringroad to Railways, Simba Club to Mamba area, Anyange Plaza to I and M Bank Road.

Burst sewers are common at Star Hospital Junction, Arya Primary School and Awori House.

Residents don’t even seem to remember the words of slogan to the planned monthly clean-up, that said “A Healthy and Prosperous Kisumu, My Responsibility”.

Last year, the Committee of Agriculture and Environment chair person, Maurice Ondiek tabled a report that proposed the exercise to be managed at the wards, and that the county executive to come up with a budget covering all the 35 wards.

BLUE PRINT

The report proposed that on the clean-up day, the Kisumu county government to support the exercise by releasing machinery and equipment, such as trucks and shovels to assist in refuse collection and taking it to the dumping sites.

It also indicated that a day be set aside periodically, to carry out cleaning exercise of the environment starting from people’s compounds.

This would then be followed by the cleaning of establishments such as schools, market centres, medical units, worship places and streets.

Another proposal was also to give incentives to children inform of bursaries, so that they uphold environmental conservation culture.

Kisumu North MCA Caroline Owen yesterday faulted the executive for lack of a blue print for the exercise.

Mrs Owen said the executive should have shared with the county Assembly a work plan regarding the exercise.

“The environment department should have been allocated specific fund channelled towards the programme,” said Owen.