Efforts to spruce up Malindi in top gear

 

The tourist town of Malindi, Kilifi County is gearing up to host the second edition of its monthly clean up exercise.

Tourism stakeholders announced they are seeking to have Environment Cabinet Secretary, Keriako Tobiko as chief guest at the event on May 11.

The Initiative by the Malindi business community declared last month that they would not allow the town to sink in the garbage so as to attract more local and international tourists.

Ms Kate Mwikali the chairperson of Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT) said this month clean-up will be from the Portuguese chapel in Malindi along Baobab road to the old Malindi District Commissioners office.

Mwikali said that the beach front area is home to the ancient churches built by Portuguese explore Vasco Dagama. Also along the picturesque beach front is a mosque and a temple.

“As Malindi stakeholders we invite all religious groups, government leaders and all citizens for our monthly clean - up day during this Holy month of Ramathan" she said

She said their aim as tourism stakeholders is to make Malindi a clean and green city which is good for Malindi and called on other organizations and well-wishers across board to collaborate with them to ensure the town retains its old status.

Mwikali said their aim is to keep the town clean for a healthy, safe and beautiful environment and create sustainable collaboration between stakeholders.

“We want to create an identity for Malindi by positioning it as a blue & green town in order to exploit the blue economy in an economically, socially & environmentally sustainable way,” she said.

Mwikali who was flanked by Maureen Awuor the General Manager of Ocean Beach Resort, Freddie De Curatolo the Italian community spokesman and Shabir Kassamjee a member of the organizing team said they intend to acquire a glass recycling machine to create jobs for youth by turning the trash collected into cash.

Curatolo on his part said the Italians were supporting the initiative and would continue sponsoring the clean up to make Malindi become the greener city.

For years Malindi has had challenge of cleanliness prompting investors to protest the poor state of the resort town which is a popular destination.

Italian Billionaire, Mr Flavio Briatore who has investments in the hospitality industry in the area  on several occasion hit out at the  local authorities for abandoning the town.

In 2001 Malindi was declared the cleanest Town in Kenya and became the runners up in 2003.

The resort town was also in 2004, nominated to represent Kenya at the UN - Habitat World urban Forum in Barcelona Spain.