Category Archives: Environment

Kenya: Clean up and Voter registration in Nairobi; 14th December 2012

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from: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

We want to invite all the Residents of Nairobi and Kenyans at large who are of voting age to join with us in a Massive Clean-up Exercise in Nairobi on the 14th December 2012 across all Nairobi and also Register as Voters. Let us make it our Personal Responsibility to mobilize our Friends, Relatives and even our Neighbours to come out and Register as Voters.

This Exercise is being supported by the Africa Youth Trust and her partners; UNICEF, UN Women and UN Habitat and will be enjoined with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for Voter Registration. We have been in discussions with the IEBC at the highest levels and we are happy that the IEBC Nairobi Team and the National Office have come out strongly to join with us in this Massive Exercise.

As at the 8th December 2012, only 8.6 Million Kenyans of voting age had Registered as Voters across the Country against a target figure of 18 Million. Nairobi had Registered only 990,127 Voters and this is wanting.

Kenyans joining in the Clean up Campaign in Nairobi in June 2012

We are happy that the City Council of Nairobi and the Provincial Administration in Nairobi will be joining with us in mobilizing for as many Residents in Nairobi to come out and Register as Voters on the 14th December 2012 as we also Clean our Neighbourhoods.

We will have four Focal Points namely;

Eastleigh,
Mathare,
Kibera and
Mukuru, with Mukuru being our Launching Pad for the day.

We are working with the IEBC Nairobi Coordinator and other Partners in planing for this and we will announce our Guest Lists tomorrow afternoon. But we have a team from the Africa Youth Trust, the Unicef, The UN Women, The UN Habitat, the Provincial Administration, the City Council of Nairobi, the IEBC and many more joining with us for this Massive Clean-up Exercise cum Voter Registration Campaign.

We are also happy that many Media Houses will help out with mobilization for this Exercise and as we write this, we have an invitation to talk about this at Citizen, Radio Umoja, and as usual, Kiss FM will be on top of issues.

We are reaching out to all the Media Houses and on Thursday the 13th December, 2012, there will be a Media Briefing in Partnership with the IEBC, the CCN, the Provincial Administration and the Africa Youth Trust to call Kenyans out.

We can achieve the target of 18 Million Voters as set out by the IEBC, so, let us all come out across Kenya on the 14th December 2012 and hit this target.

Let us shame the devil of apathy for we are Kenyans.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya and a Clean Africa as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean Kenya
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com
The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya

EXPERTS HAVE WARNED THAT THE NILE PERCH LAKE VICTORIA FISH STOCK IS DWINDLING TO THE POINT OF FACING EXTINCTION.

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Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu

Lake Victoria the world’s second largest inland water mass is rapidly losing its fish stock. The worse affected is the economically prized Nile Perch species.

According to the information contained in statistics compiled from various fish landing beaches on the Kenyan side of the lake, the Nile Perch, which is commonly known as “Mbuta”, is an asset to the country because Kenya export tones of its fillets to the European, Japan, US and Israel markets.

The statistics are backed up by a study report by the Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute {KMFRU}. Nile Perch species stocks in the lake has reduced to 34 per cent.

Mbuta was among many alien species of fish introduced into Lake Victoria in 1950s by the British colonial authorities to boost its economic benefits, but this has turned to be unsustainable in the long term since the lake ‘s ecological function and ecosystem suffer from elements beyond its boundaries.

According to the research, 49 per cent of Nile Perch is harvested before it reaches maturity stage, thereby interfering with the reproduction process.

A mature Nile Perch weights over 200kgs and is more than six feet long; but the KMFRI study says fishermen do not let the fish grow to this size. The Nile Perch is also a predator that dominates its surrounding and feeds on other fish as well as its own offspring.

KMFRI researcher Simon Agembe was recently quoted as saying that due to reduced fish yields, reducing biodiversity and water borne diseases, the livelihood and well being of more than 40 million people who depended on the lake’s resources, remains at risk.

Dr Agembe said if the fishing is not regulated, stocks of other species like dagaa {Omena} is likely to decline since fishermen are piling pressure on them.

Dagaa’s decline stands at 54 per cent. The study recommends that the government puts measures that will protect Nile Perch and other species in place.

The study proposed the protection of breeding areas and introduction of an alternative source of food in the lake region and income for fishermen to reduce the pressure on the lake.

Expert attribute the deflation of fish stocks in Lake Victoria to over-fishing, the use of unlawful and wrong fishing gears such as fish nets, the illegal use of chemicals which kills fish in their thousands, .

Fishermen and villagers around Luanda Koteno in Rarieda district were recently reported to have cornered and killed one fisherman who was caught red-handed while using chemicals at night in this way.\

A good number of youths, who are suspected to have lynched the fisherman they found using chemicals on fish, were later rounded up and charged with the murder in a Kisumu court., But the use of chemicals on fish is said to be still on the upsurge.

Ends

Alternatives to Biofuels

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From: Yona Maro

The UK could meet its 10% transport obligations under the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) without the use of current land?based biofuels, or indeed any land?based crops or trees. This is partly due to new proposals for the RED that would incentivise the use of sustainable advanced generation biofuels from wastes and residues, the use of other ‘genuine wastes’ that would otherwise be disposed of, and electric vehicles from renewable sources. As ActionAid will show below, the UK government could still fill the 10% without land?based biofuels and thereby avoid all the social and negative impacts associated with biofuels.

Link: http://www.actionaid.org.uk/doc_lib/alternatives_to_biofuels_-_7th_october.pdf

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Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com

World Happiness Report 2012

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From: Yona Maro

The world enjoys technologies of unimaginable sophistication; yet has at least one billion people without enough to eat each day. The world economy is propelled to soaring new heights of productivity through ongoing technological and organizational advance; yet is relentlessly destroying the natural environment in the process. The realities of poverty, anxiety, environmental degradation, and unhappiness in the midst of great plenty should not be regarded as mere curiosities. They require our urgent attention, and especially so at this juncture in human history. This document report on the two broad measurements of happiness: the ups and downs of daily emotions, and an individual’s overall evaluation of life.
Link: http://www.earth.columbia.edu/sitefiles/file/Sachs%20Writing/2012/World%20Happiness%20Report.pdf

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KENYA: LAKE VICTORIA WATER HYACINTH AND THE LEADERSHIP IN NYANZA.

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From: odhiambo okecth

Lee,

At The Clean Kenya Campaign, we are asking very simple questions; Why do people need leadership if they cannot address such simple things?

Fish Harvesting in Lake Victoria is dying and many of the people around the Lake are being rendered jobless and becoming destitutes.And NO leader has raised his or her voice.

Look at this; http://www.ehow.com/way_ 5664058_use-water-hyacinth- fertilizer.html

Can you see that Hyacinth can be of real value? But our leaders are happy leading us to nowhere.

People must wake up and ask the hard questions. 50 Years of Independence is such a long time to continue playing ping pong with a people.

Oto

— On Thu, 11/22/12, Lee Makwiny wrote:
From: Lee Makwiny
Subject: LAKE VICTORIA WATER HYACINTH AND THE LEADERSHIP IN NYANZA.
Date: Thursday, November 22, 2012, 3:55 AM

ODM Youth 2012 once visited Homabay county. Visited the shores arround there.

We approaced several leaders on the best way we can help with this problem. None of them heeded to this call. Most of those leaders are currently running to be governors of Homabay.

Sad.

On Thu, Nov 22, 2012 at 2:07 PM, otieno sungu wrote:

Leadership is about representation, leadership is about guiding followers in finding solutions, it is about turning challenges into opportunities but above all, it is about selflessly pursuing a vision, being pragmatic in the process and ensuring at the end of it all, the led have a reason to believe they have at the helm men and women who have not abandoned them to the forces of fate but those who play a role in shaping their destiny.

The water hyacinth is one such issue that is killing the fishing economy of Nyanza. While Uganda has managed to contain this menace and ensure it does not kill the mainstay of their fishing communities, ours is a sorry state of leaders emasculated by the hyacinth. Just like the green weed, the leadership on our Lake Victoria side is to say the least, very ill equipped to turn challenges into opportunities and basically unable to provide solutions.

The hyacinth weed begun invading Lake Victoria in the 90s, it was a small irritant then that has been allowed to grow to emasculate a whole industry .This; while youth cry out to be empowered and supported to weed out this menace. When Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai died, her coffin was made out of the water hyacinth by some very creative young fellows. Did any of the leadership from around the lake take notice? Leadership is about taking such notice and making the best out of such innovative ideas, up scaling and building their capacities.

This is where I just don’t get it. If a leadership cannot resolve just a weed menace and offer hope to a community being annihilated by the weed, I am left wondering how such leadership can manage with greater tasks.

[image]This is Lake Victoria on a good day, you can see the water,the youth trying to get worms for their lines. Other days, this boat , the youth and the Lake would be submerged by the water hyacinth!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zc0hxLwK2JQ/UK35QrduQZI/AAAAAAAACNA/CzrhoJy4SDM/s1600/Photo-0016.jpg

The Nyanza economy is dying, sample this. The young men who work in hotels and restaurants along the beaches are being laid off for lack of customers; local and visiting tourists, who usually visit the beaches, eat fish and take boat rides, require transport and generally bring in revenue. The lake transport from Kisumu, Kendu Bay, Homa Bay, Mbita, Uyoma, Bondo, Sori through to Uganda and Tanzania is on its death bed courtesy of the hyacinth weed. Most roads are in terrible shape hence high fares on road transport.

The fish processing companies that employ thousands are scaling down their operations, laying off workers because they cannot operate at full capacity. The jobs in line are drivers, loaders, those who fillet, process and package. The women who sell waste products from these factories no longer have anything to do.At the national level, Kenya is losing millions in foreign exchange due to the weed.

With all this, our leaders, as usual want to blame everyone else on this, blame it on the National Accord, blame it on stolen elections, blame it on being short changed and everything else except their lack of ability to lead, be innovative, give hope and channel both human and capital resources to change lives. Lets leave alone everything else, when did these leaders ever meet or even bring stakeholders together to deliberate on steps to liberate Lake Victoria from the hyacinth? How have they followed up on such to ensure a plan is in place to resolve this menace?

But even looked at from another angle, suppose the weed defeated them and they have run out of ideas how to deal with it, fish farming is now a serious undertaking and an alternative to fishing which even in small ways can be supported.

[image]Some of the ponds we are digging to provide opportunities for the youth around the Lake.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bhJZ5d3h28/UK38bbIe5bI/AAAAAAAACNQ/RZV5dS8uWqo/s1600/Photo-0018.jpg

I have traveled wide around Lake Victoria region, especially Siaya, Homa Bay and Kisumu County and the situation is pathetic. Folks hitherto earning a living from fishing have been rendered jobless by the hyacinth.These are people who do not have skills in fish farming. How much was or has been done to ensure that they quickly change their lifestyles to overcome and adopt to the new challenge? Leadership is about guiding people, offering alternatives and tackling problems. Which MP from these constituencies surrounding the Lake has taken steps to look into the challenge of the water hyacinth and try to offer solutions? And most if not all have been around for the last 8 years since NARC took over power.Would we still want to blame KANU for such woes?

Kenyans have been treated to episodes on TV, now and then as fishermen are rescued after several days at Lake, stranded, engulfed by the water hyacinth, tired, hungry, angry and frustrated. The leadership is largely mum and looks the other way as these monumental challenges consume their electorate, the very men and women whom they whip up to vote for them so that ”development” can be realized! How hypocritical!

I want to posit here and for good measure, that the Lake region has no leadership to talk about,and for good measure.

Nyanza has no reason to believe that this kind of leadership, even if given the whole world to lead and all its resources, could make a change in the lives of their followers, let alone everybody else.

Leadership is about showcasing, it is about offering solutions, it is not about whining for more resources without showing how well one has used the modest one already has, it is about giving hope and translating challenges into opportunities.

This is why I must categorically say to those who coalesce around the leadership in Nyanza,giving all sorts of excuses will not wash. The current leadership in Luo Nyanza must not lie that someone else is the problem, we must not be cheated that these things cannot be solved because we are waiting to greater powers and resources.These things simply require leadership and that is what Nyanza lacks in abundance.

I am here waiting and hoping it is not too late, or is it?

Otieno Sungu.

Launching University Students for a Clean Kenya

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From: odhiambo okecth

Date: Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 5:37 AM

[image]Clean African Nazarene University
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8o63w-0j964/UKuF8ucam4I/AAAAAAAACJw/9DTG_Fzoyns/s1600/PICT2611.JPG

Friends,

We are launching the University Students for a Clean Kenya on the 29th Nov 2012 the same day we will be hosting a Breakfast Meeting with the Health and Environment Journalists. I want the Team Leaders from the Kenyan Universities to write to me for their accreditation. My email address is komarockswatch@yahoo.com

This is going to be a voluntary Platform through which we are going to rally Kenyans back to self esteem as we work towards Cleaning our System. We must believe in Kenya and in our power to re-ignite the Independence Spirit and Aspirations of our Fathers. We must all unite to say NO to Tribalism, Impunity, Greed, Corruption, Big Money in Politics. And we must unite to vote out incompetence and lethargy.

We must advance Environmental Health and Science as the next frontier for National Development as we seek Peace amongst all Kenyans and pitch tent for Good
Governance. We must look back and be very brave in identifying where the rain started beating us and we must seal all those loopholes that make politics be the centre stage of our lives everyday at the expense of economic development, national building and servant leadership.

At the same time, please look at this Petition and if you are agreeable to its content, sign and help disseminate the same far and wide; http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/removing-the-director-of-environ>nment-at-ccn-from-office.html
Let us Move From Talking to Tasking as we Stay with the Issues garbage.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya and a Clean Africa as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,

The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC

Tel; 0724 365 557

Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean Kenya

Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com

The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya

Kenya: The Sofia Clean-up Campaign

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From: odhiambo okecth

Dear Friends,

We hosted the last of our Clean-up Campaigns for this year at Sofia in Majengo today. There was some confusion when some vested interest decided to course confusion yesterday and informed the residents of Sofia that our Clean-up will be at Gikomba Area. They even took the working tools we were supposed to use.

At the outset, we want to thank the Level 1 Communications for documenting The Sofia Clean up Campaign. This is the beginning of Level 1 Communication documenting all our events with a view to helping create a mass Campaign.

This is Nairobi today

This prompted some residents to go to Gikomba and to their chagrin nothing was taking place there.

However, the Clean-up went on smoothly and the area residents organized themselves very quickly and with the little equipment we had, we did some good job. All the photos have been posted to our Facebook Pages.

Residents of Sofia came out in good numbers

Sofia is changing and we are happy. The residents are fired up and they want the relevant Government Departments and the City Council of Nairobi to play their part as we all join hands in making Kenya Clean.

It was a little bit depressing to encounter human waste in the waste stream and this is something the residents said they will guard against from now on.

This old lady was a real inspiration

This also means, the Government must now step in and help with Service Provision. We can turn Kenya around if we all put our mind into it.

Clean Drainage after our works

Raw Human Waste in the trench

At the same time, the Business Students at Masinde Muliro University and the Social Workers joined with the Municipal Council of Kakamega for a major Clean-up in Kakamega sponsored by the Cooperative Bank. This is a positive sign and all we are inviting Kenyans to is; Let us join hands and make Kenya Clean.

Later in the day, we encountered impunity on our Roads first hand when a Nissan Matatu KBA 484H plying Route 46 blocked the road in Kawangware and when Sungu asked him to align himself well on the road, he asked Sungu to mind his own business. We then minded our business as responsible citizens.

A Nissan Matatu blocking the road in Kawangware today as it picks passengers

We took the photo of the offending vehicle and reported the matter to the Traffic Commandant Mr. Ben Kibue and we were impressed by their prompt action. The offending driver was arrested and the Deputy Traffic Commandant Nairobi Mr. Katana invited us to Nairobi Area Traffic Headquarters to verify.

We must applaud the Traffic Commandant and his team for their prompt action. Kenyans must join hands to bring back sanity on our Roads.

A more cleaner Drainage in Sofia

Kindly sign this Petition if you are agreeable to its content and then help disseminate the same far and wide; http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/removing-the-director-of-environment-at-ccn-from-office.html

Let us Move From Talking to Tasking as we Stay with the Issues garbage.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya and a Clean Africa as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50 in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,

The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC

Tel; 0724 365 557

Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook;University Students for a Clean Kenya

Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com

The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya

– – – –

This is Nairobi today
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k6RXNVlVzAs/UKdrUBButXI/AAAAAAAACBw/DlhdQZGAKXc/s1600/PICT0024.JPG

Residents of Sofia came out in good numbers
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0V4J4ugpAOw/UKdrpr5LOII/AAAAAAAACB8/qD3brkKaE_A/s1600/PICT0031.JPGhttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0V4J4ugpAOw/UKdrpr5LOII/AAAAAAAACB8/qD3brkKaE_A/s1600/PICT0031.JPG

This old lady was a real inspiration
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XGnBqAmIae4/UKdsELSCwGI/AAAAAAAACCE/_cwx-szjaWI/s1600/PICT0052.JPG

Clean Drainage after our works
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4EwiLBvP_s/UKds4nsLqEI/AAAAAAAACCM/JshIVfnfTSs/s1600/PICT0059.JPG

Raw Human Waste in the trench
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIGPT_e_c1I/UKdtZkFDfRI/AAAAAAAACCU/8q_OxR2RWZQ/s1600/PICT0079.JPG

A more cleaner Drainage in Sofia
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qYQD-vk9M_w/UKduPjywApI/AAAAAAAACCo/cB3f-SMLz3A/s1600/PICT0073.JPG

How Much Sea Level Rise Would be Avoided by Aggressive CO2 Reductions?

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From: Yona Maro
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– – – – – – – – –

“One of the more reasonable discussion points to emerge from efforts to link Hurricane Sandy to the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions focuses on the role that future sea level rise will have on making storm impacts worse. Logically, it would seem that if we can “halt the rise of the seas” then this would reduce future impacts from extreme events like Sandy.

“The science of sea level rise, however, tells us that our ability to halt he rise of the seas is extremely limited, even under an (unrealistically) aggressive scenario of emissions reduction. Several years ago, in a GRL paper titled “How much climate change can be avoided by mitigation?” Warren Washington and colleagues asked how much impact aggressive mitigation would have on the climate system. Specifically, they looked at a set of climate model runs assuming stabilization of carbon dioxide at 450 ppm.

“Here is what they concluded for sea level rise: ‘[A]bout 8 cm of the sea level rise that would otherwise occur without mitigation would be averted. However, by the end of the century the sea level rise continues to increase and does not stabilize in both scenarios due to climate change commitment involving the thermal inertia of the oceans ”

“Eight cm is about three inches. Three inches. Then sea level rise continues for centuries.”

Roger Pielke Jr.’s Blog. 31 OCTOBER 2012

http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-much-sea-level-rise-would-be.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FvabBE+%28Roger+Pielke+Jr.%27s+Blog

Africa Challenged to Harness Natural Resources for Inclusive Growth

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From: News Release – African Press Organization (APO)

PRESS RELEASE

Africa Challenged to Harness Natural Resources for Inclusive Growth

The 8th African Development Forum (ADF VIII) opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, October 23, 2012/ — The 8th African Development Forum (ADF VIII) opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday with a call on African countries to harness their huge natural resources for the benefit of their growing populations.

Logo: http://www.photos.apo-opa.com/plog-content/images/apo/logos/african-development-bank.jpg

Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, the African Development Bank (AfDB) (http://www.afdb.org) Group Operations Vice President, Aly Abou-Sabba, noted that Africa was now in a position where it should be using its natural resources for accelerated wealth creation to bring about socio-economic transformation.

Speaking on behalf of AfDB President Donald Kaberuka, Mr. Abou-Sabaa said that Africa is home to some of the world’s largest deposits of oil and gas, gold reserves and strategic minerals, such as uranium, cobalt and bauxite, and has an undeniable comparative advantage in natural resources.

“The challenge for the continent is how to govern and harness this rich pool of natural resources to achieve a broad-based growth,” he said.

Mr. Abou-Sabaa outlined three critical factors that must be in place for the continent to shift from being “resource cursed” to “resource blessed”: 1) Promoting responsible investment for broad-based growth; 2) Strengthening governance for enhanced transparency and accountability; and 3) Building capable and responsive states for human development and economic effectiveness.

Speaking earlier, the new Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Carlos Lopes, noted that Africa accounts for three quarters of the world’s platinum supply, half of the diamond and chromium, and one fifth of global gold deposits.

The continent is also a major supplier of cobalt, copper, iron and coal, and home to 60 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land.

Despite such wealth, Africa neither consumes its minerals nor adds value to them before exporting them. It has high potential to feed the growing global population, but can hardly feed it population because of underdeveloped agriculture that results in low crop yields, he said.

Mr. Lopes recounted how outsiders continue to reap enormous benefits from Africa’s resources, citing the case of Glenocore, a Swiss company that mainly operates in the Democratic Republic of Congo and whose assets are worth more than those of the country where it operates. Glenocore is currently negotiating a deal with another Swiss company, Xstrata, to “create a $70 billion dollar mining powerhouse,” he said.

“Of the 20 major mining companies currently operating in Africa, only Anglo-Gold Ashanti is home-grown,” Mr. Lopes said.

All the inputs of the mining companies are imported, he added, and nearly all outputs are exported without processing; while the most important tasks are performed by expatriate labour.

According to Mr. Lopes, illegal fishing costs Africa US $629 million annually, which can cover the infrastructure funding gap of a country like Mozambique. The revenue lost from illegal fishing on the waters of Somalia alone could have funded the country’s UN coordinated development programme for 2011.

The last 10 years have witnessed a phenomenal rise in commodity prices in which African countries benefitted the least, he said, noting that average net profits for the top 10 global mining companies grew by 156 per cent in 2010, whereas the take for governments grew by only 60 per cent, most of which were accounted for by Australia and Canada.

Illicit financial flows from Africa, mainly from the extractive sector, also amounted to $50 billion a year, he told participants.

Given the state of affairs, Mr. Lopes said it is imperative that African countries exercise greater strategic control over their natural resources.

For her part, the African Union Commission Chair, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, raised several questions concerning Africa’s wealth and development paradox that the forum should consider, in addition to formulating ways and means of tackling them.

“Africa is today, among the fastest-growing regions in the world. How come the growth is not generating enough jobs for our people, especially the youth? How come the jobs our people have are low-level and poorly paid?” she said.

In his intervention, Ethiopia’s Industry Minister, Mekonnen Manyazewal, suggested that Africa needed a developmental state and transformational leadership to effectively govern and harness its natural resources.

The Forum, which runs from October 23-25, 2012, is on the theme, “Governing and Harnessing Natural Resources for Africa’s Development”.

The ADF, a UNECA flagship biennial event, is convened in collaboration with the AU Commission, AfDB and other key partners to establish an African-driven development agenda that reflects consensus and leads to specific programmes for implementation. It is attended by a large number of participants including Heads of State and Government, African member state policy-makers, development partners, other United Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (IGOs/NGOs), academia, practitioners, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, eminent policy and opinion leaders and other concerned stakeholders.

Distributed by the African Press Organization on behalf of the African Development Bank.

SOURCE

African Development Bank (AfDB)

Kenya: Money, tribe and impunity driving our politics

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From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

In the recent past, I have been involved with several Community Groups, the Councils and the University Students in Kenya in championing for safer waste disposal and environmental management.

I was invited to a workshop on Green Economy at Kenyatta University on the 3rd Oct and I attended. And on the 12th-16th November, they will be hosting World University Students in Nairobi on the same topic; Green Economy.

Having read the posting and suggestions from a friend from Cameroon Mr. Ohiri Ubomah, I want to make some open follow-up on the same. Can the University Students in Africa unite to create a move that will change the course of action in Africa?

Yes they can.

Mr. Ohiri leaves and works in the United States of America and him and other colleagues are keen on making Health Education be incorporated in the Education Curriculum in Africa. We could add Environmental Management to this as well.

[image]

Africa is celebrating 50 years of their Independence during this time in History. And as we celebrate those years, they are definitely lost years. We have seen no tangible development across Africa that we can take to the bank. And it is is with this in mind that as we celebrate our 50 years on Independence in Kenya next year, on the 1st June 2013 to be specific, we must pause, think and re-group.

Will it be business as usual? No. Not this time.

We will also be going for a General Election in Kenya next year, and with this comes an opportunity to entrench impunity, tribalism and to unleash stolen money on the electorate. We can stop this if we unite forces and mobilize the University Students to step forward and help make change take place.

For how long will we be saddled with inept leadership hinged on stolen money and tribe as the driving attributes to power and more wealth. And not to National Development?

[image]

I firmly believe that University Students in Africa have the ability to isolate issues and stay with the facts. I also firmly believe that University Students can be the change agents that will catapult Africa to new Leadership. They can withstand any financial onslaught from the Politicians and help make all and sundry understand the issues upon which Elections ought to be won.

If our Politicians cannot understand this, then someone MUST make them understand this. And the University Students across Africa stand a better chance stepping forward now to help drive the change agenda.

These are issues close to my heart.

Oto

SOF-DI transforming lives in WEstern Kenya

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From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

One of the Key Partners of The Clean Kenya Campaign is A Better World/SOF-DI.

Today, I want to share with you in pictorials the great work Ms Frey and the Frey Family is doing for our people in Western Kenya.

A true Friend is he who impacts you with knowledge for self reliance as he betters your life. This is what the Frey Family is doing in Kenya.

On the 12th of October 2012, they will be planting 20,000 trees from their seed bed around Kwishero. This is besides the 8 Springs they are protecting every month at their cost.

They have now introduced what they are calling Community Conversation, as a way to impacting and sharing agricultural knowledge with the people and the Government.

We at The Clean Kenya Campaign are happy to have A Better World/SOF-Di, and especially Ms Brigitte Frey as our Key Partner in our Journey of Hope across Kenya.

Please check the photos below my sign off.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com
The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya.

USA: Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on Pesticide Use

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From: Yona Maro

Genetically engineered, herbicide-resistant and insect-resistant crops have been remarkable commercial successes in the United States. Few independent studies have calculated their impacts on pesticide use per hectare or overall pesticide use, or taken into account the impact of rapidly spreading glyphosate-resistant weeds.

http://allafrica.com/download/resource/main/main/idatcs/00041893:d7f3ec2c246deae9d77df401674e0d4a.pdf

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Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com

Kenya: The Dandora Scars on YouTube

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from: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

Here are the links to the Dandora Scars Part 1 and Part 2

The Dandora Scars Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MOPD_eotqE

The Dandora Scars Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVzFxCZwjC0

With this done, today was one hectic day for us at The Clean Kenya Campaign.

I was in a Strategic Meeting with a small team to help address the Ngong River Tributaries in Lindi and Laini Saba in Kibera.

The Strategic Team meeting was attended by

Chief Patrick Adira from Laini Saba in Kibera,
Ms Jenet Mule- Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.
Ms Martina Mueni- Ministry of Education.
Ms Irene Ochieng’- Kounkuey Design Initiative.
Mr. Kidaha Vincent- Bunge La Mwananchi Kibera.
Mr. Gabriel Odira- Usalama
Mr. Frederick Omondi- Emcof
Mr. Kepher Wanjir- Emcof
Mr. Dairus Mutinda- Usalama
Ms Florence Muhonja- Laini Saba, and
Mr. Odhiambo T Oketch- The Clean Kenya Campaign- TCKC

This was a brainstorming session to help give some sharp focus to the problem that is waste and waste management in Lindi and Laini Saba areas of Kibera.

We noted that we have a few NGOs and CBOs doing great works in Kibera and we are inviting all of them to a Consultative Forum to be hosted on the 12th October 2012 at Ushirika Hall in Laini Saba.

We assigned various responsibilities to the present Team Members to reach out to the identified groups for this meeting. In case you are operating in Kibera and you feel you can add value to this Initiative, you are free to get in touch with the undersigned.

Secondly, I was in a meeting with the leadership of the Nairobi Market Traders Society to help give direction to the Massive Market Clean-ups scheduled for the 10th October 2012.

We had agreed in a joint meeting with the City Council of Nairobi that the Clea

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch. blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@ yahoogroups.com
The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya.

KENYA AND TANZANIA TO FUND A MULTIMILLION SHILLINGS JOINT PROJECT TO REHABILITATE MARA RIVER ECOSYSTEM TO BOOST ITS TOURISM VALUE IN THE REGION.

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News Analysis by Leo Odera Omolo

Kenya and Tanzania have agreed to team up together in a joint concerted effort t save Mara River which experts says is on the verge of drying due to wanton destruction of its most important water catchment, which is the Mau Forest.

Human settlement and illegal loggers and squatters have depleted the Mau Forest, which is one of the most important water towers in the region.

The two countries have jointly earmarked colossal amount of money to the tune of Kshs 978 million. The moneys are to be utilized towards the improvement of the Mara River infrastructure.

The environmentally important Mara River originated in the Mau Forest in the Southwester of the expansive Rift Valley Province and traverses through the common bores f the two countries before emptying its waters in Lake Victoria in the Tanzania’s northwestern region of Mara near the lakeside town of Musoma.

This particular river is economically valued by the two African nations because it is also supporting two important tourist attraction centers, and also supports two most valuable National Game Pars on both sides, namely Mara Game Reserve in Kenya and the world famous Serengeti National Game Park on the Tanzanian side of the border.

The two governments and NGO organizations operating in the two countries are to partner with the residents and communities living around the Mara ecosystem to sensitize them on the need to stop polluting the river.

The program wile implemented through the Lake Victoria Basin Commission {LVBC} which will coordinate and manage the entire project of rehabilitating the river. The LVBC is an institution o the East African Community {EAC}.

The comprehensive plan to rehabilitate the Mara River was disclosed recently b Coordinator of the Nile Equatorial Basin Subsidiary Action Program Antoine Sendama during the Mara Day celebrations held at Mulot Trading Center in Narok North district. The function was attended by top government officials from both Kenya and Tanzania. They included cabinet ministers and permanent secretaries,

The depletion the Mau Forest had already started spelling dooms for the reforestation n the to countries

The executive secretary of the Kisumu-based LVBC Consius Kamangire told the gathering that the Mara River was a disaster in waiting which must be averted at all costs.
Kenya and Tanzania have already started wildlife and water conservation, farming with communities around the Maasai Game Reserve and strategy to bring to a halt with time rapidly ruing out.

Sendama said NELSAP was formed 10 years ago and Mara River was identified as area of the trams boundary river basin management project to be prepared and implemented under the program.

In attendance w Kenya’s Minister for the East African Community Affairs Musa Sirma and the Permanent Secretary in the Tanzanian Ministry of East African Community affairs George Luwao .

Sirma told his audience that the Mara River Day celebrations was meant to promote trans boundary management framework for the Mara River.

The two nation which are partners in the EAC through the LVBC plans to improve protection and management of Mau Forest and conserve the Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Game Park ecosystem.

The main objectives of the program ensuring household food security increasing farms income and alleviation of poverty through increase access to water for household consumption and agricultural production. This include achieving river basin conservation and rehabilitation of new projects including multipurpose project like Tanzania irrigation and watershed management projects in Gucha, Migori, Yala and Nzoia Rivers.

The program is also meant to promoting co-operative management of shared water reservoirs in a bid to demonstrate benefit of cooperation and sustainable investment projects.

Mara River was losing chunk of its waters due to climate change and vulnerability. The climate change will affect on the residents way of life and threatened the very foundation on which the region’s economies rest..It will affect impact negatively in food and energy security to high temperature through flood and veritable rainfall.

Ends

‘Incinerators are junk and they kill’ – air pollution expert claims

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From: Maurice Oduor

OTO,

Modern incineration technology incorporates top-of-the-line scrubbers that take out all hazardous emmissions from the smokestream. The incinerators that this Dr Steen is talking about are probably using technology from the 60s.

Courage

– – – – – – – – – –

On 9/22/12, odhiambo okecth wrote:

EMISSIONS from waste incinerators are to blame for child deaths, birth defects, increased cancer rates and heart attacks, according to an air pollution expert who spoke at Hardwicke Village Hall on Wednesday, September 5.

Retired GP Dr Dick van Steenis, who has spent 17 years working in toxicology, urged residents to ‘rise up’ and oppose plans for a £500 million incinerator at Javelin Park, near Haresfield.

He said lax regulations in the UK meant populations living downwind of the facilities were being exposed to hazardous levels of PM1 and PM2.5 particles, which he claims are responsible for causing premature infant deaths as well as a host of other illnesses and diseases.

Dr van Steenis, who in the past has given evidence to a House of Commons select committee on air quality, said incinerator operators are putting ‘company profits before public health’ because they are burning waste at temperatures which are too low to fully break down refuse.

Alternative waste disposal technologies, like plasma arc gasification, treat waste at higher temperatures and are cheaper and cleaner, Dr van Steenis said.

“It is now up to the people to rise up and say enough is enough. We do not want any extra deaths. These incinerators are junk and they kill,” he said.

incinerator waste

ATI, lifetime warranty incinerators 100% Choice of longlife & expert is e incinerators-ati.com Air Quality Monitoring Air Quality Systems &Networks Gas Analysers & Dust Monitors www.et.co.uk

Dr van Steenis was invited to talk by parish councillors from Hardwicke and Quedgeley who are opposed to the incinerator.

Ian Butler, chairman of Hardwicke Parish Council, said he felt it was important that residents were given the opportunity to hear an alternative viewpoint on the issue.

The Health Protection Agency announced in January that it had commissioned a major new study to look at the potential threat incinerators posed to public health.

Preliminary results from that study are not due back until 2014 however – a year after building work is scheduled to start on the Javelin Park incinerator.

Cllr Stan Waddington, GCC cabinet champion for waste, said: “The Health Protection Agency’s position on energy from waste facilities is clear.

“Well run and regulated modern municipal waste incinerators are not a significant risk to public health. Energy from waste is a tried and tested technology and there are currently more than 350 operating throughout Europe.”

Javier Peiro, project director for Urbaser Balfour Beatty – the company hoping to build the plant – said: “We were disappointed that no representative was invited from UBB to provide a balanced discussion of the topics at the recent meeting.

“Dr van Steenis has raised his concerns at a number of public inquiries in the country where his evidence on health effects and alternative technologies has been considered but not accepted.

“All thermal treatment facilities, including energy from waste and gasification plants preferred by van Steenis, must comply with the same stringent emissions limits.

“Had we have been invited to Dr van Steenis’ presentation we would have been able to provide the alternative perspective on energy from waste, which is based on credible evidence rather than scare mongering.”

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Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com

USA: They won’t budge

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From: Nita and Shaunna, Ultraviolet

Dear Readers,

Amazing! Since Friday more than 70,000 people have signed the petition telling Hobby Lobby to drop their lawsuit and agree to cover all forms of birth control — including customers, like Debbi H. from Texas, who wrote “And here I am planning a fabric purchase. Guess I have to go to Michael’s or JoAnn’s today…”

But Hobby Lobby isn’t budging–in fact right-wingers are flooding their Facebook page with messages of support. So we have to turn up the pressure.

Companies care a lot about their social media presence, and because the Facebook page is public, tons of people see it, mostly customers. Hobby Lobby depends on its customers for success, so we need to make sure thousands and thousands of us let them know how upset we are about their lawsuit.

If you’re on Facebook, can you post a quick note on their public Facebook page?

Post to Hobby Lobby’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/HobbyLobby

Here’s a sample message you can post on Facebook, but please speak from your heart and be polite. Your message will be more powerful that way: “It’s a woman’s personal decision what kind of birth control is right for her body, and all women deserve affordable access to contraception. Your decision to sue over the contraception mandate is really disappointing. I won’t be shopping at your stores unless you drop this suit.”

If you’re not on Facebook, you can give them a quick call. Just click here for the info.
http://act.weareultraviolet.org/call/callhobbylobby/?akid=189.6000.utkjSI&rd=1&t=4

This is bigger than just Hobby Lobby–this is about the precedent it sets and how dangerous it is for women. US companies can’t flout the law just because they don’t like it. Allowing company management to impose their beliefs on employees is wrong. And we should not stand for it.
Here’s what a few other Hobby Lobby customers have had to say so far:
Begin quote
“I am a woman who shops at your stores. I like that you feel strongly about your religious beliefs. I do not like that you want to dictate your beliefs to your employees in the form of health care denial. It is not up to you to judge how a women takes care of her health care. That is between her and her doctor. You are an employer not a health care professional. This is America you don’t have to use these services but you have no right to tell your employees they cannot have access to them.” –Cecilia B. From Ohio

“I own a small ceramics shop that regularly purchases supplies at Hobby Lobby, but I didn’t know of its support of the notion it can deny women access to areas of health care that concerns only them, not them and their employer. I will find another vendor for my supplies until such time as Hobby Lobby changes its stance on this issue.” — Kevin R. South Carolina
End quote

All women deserve access to affordable birth control and the kind they use is their personal decision–not Hobby Lobby’s. And Hobby Lobby needs to hear that message from women everywhere today.

Thanks for speaking out.
–Nita, Shaunna and Kat, the UltraViolet team.

– – – – – – – – – – –

Hobby Lobby isn’t budging on its dangerous anti-contraception lawsuit. And now the right-wing is flooding their Facebook page with messages of support. They need to hear from the thousands of us who want them to drop the suit and support affordable access to birth control for all women. Can you post a message on their Facebook page?

Click Here
https://www.facebook.com/HobbyLobby

Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops — Recent Experiences

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From: Leila Abdul

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Karibu Jukwaa la www.mwanabidii.com
Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

Margaret Mellon, Ph.D., J.D.
Jane Rissler, Ph.D.
Union of Concerned Scientists

. . .

In the United States, the nascent agricultural industry emerged in the early 1980s—a product of two decades of dramatic advances in molecular biology research. As it became clear that the industry was contemplating a broad variety of products, including many that would be used out of doors, the Reagan administration began to grapple with questions of regulatory oversight. Even though it tended to resist regulation as a general matter, the Reagan administration eventually decided to fashion a new “regulatory framework” made up of old statutes. It explicitly rejected the option of new regulatory legislation targeted to biotechnology products, at least in part because administration policy was premised on the similarity of biotechnology to earlier reproductive technologies.

[ . . . ]

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_genetic_engineering/environmental-effects-of.html

State of the world’s cities 2012/2013: The prosperity of cities

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From: Yona Maro

This Report focuses on the notion of prosperity and its realization in urban areas. It calls for a new type of city one that: (i) is more ‘people-centred;’ (ii) includes vital dimensions such as quality of life, adequate infrastructures, equity and environmental sustainability; (iii) reduces disaster risks and vulnerabilities for the poor; (iv) builds resilience; (v) creates harmony; and (vi) promotes prosperity; and stimulates local job creation and social diversity. It recommends that those engaged in development work need to explore a more inclusive notion of prosperity and development.
http://www.preventionweb.net/files/28495_urbanprosperity.pdf
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Pata nafasi mpya za Kazi www.kazibongo.blogspot.com
Blogu ya Habari na Picha www.patahabari.blogspot.com

Kenya: Town Clerk endorses the 10th Oct Nairobi Markets Clean-up

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From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

I had a flurry of meetings today morning to help mobilize for the Major Clean-up that we will be hosting in partnership with the Nairobi Market Traders Society across all the 53 Markets in Nairobi on the 10th October 2012.

Our call to The Clean Kenya Campaign across the Country has been well received and today, the Deputy Town Clerk at the City Council of Nairobi, Mr. Simon Ole Morintat, did give an assurance that he will personally lead the Nairobi Monthly Clean-ups, Beautification and Tree Planting. He said he is going to mobilize for the participation of all the Council Officers and the City Fathers as we re-energize The Nairobi Monthly Clean-up Campaigns.

I also had a meeting with Mr. Daniel Masetu- Assistant Town Clerk Reforms, Dr. Robert Ayisi- Director- Public Health Department and Mr. JN Kariuki- the Director Social Services and Housing Department, and all were really enthusiastic and looking forward to the 10th of October 2012 when we shall clean all the 53 Markets in Nairobi.

To help plan effectively for the 10th October Nairobi Markets Clean-up Campaign, we will be hosting a Planning Session with the Leaders of the 53 Markets in Nairobi at Charter Hall on the 19th September 2012 as from 8.00am. The meeting will be chaired by the Deputy Town Clerk Mr. Morintat and several Departmental Directors with the Council will be in attendance. Besides planning for the 10th October Clean-up, the Council will be giving their assurance and under-taking on several Services currently wanting.

Again, as is our tradition, we will not want to point figures and engage in blame games. We will be seeking solutions to our current problems of Waste and Garbage. The good thing is, we all agree that Markets are our converging zones and if we have them clean, the whole country will go Clean.

On the same note, Migosi Otieno Sungu will lead The Clean Kenya Campaign Team to join with our Brothers and Sisters at Lindi and Laini Saba in Kibera for their Clean-up Campaign tomorrow. This has been organized by Kounkuey Design Initiative, Usalama Youth Reform Group, Slum Care Community Group, Ndovu Development Group and several other CBOs.

They are also in the process of launching their fourth project in Kibera at the Lindi/Laini Saba Bridge, near the Laini Saba Mosque to build a Public Space project on this site.

On the 15th September 2012, we are joining with KICOCEN and the Municipal Council of Kisumu for a major Clean up in Kisumu City.

Now, Eng Maurice ‘Courage’ Oduor has been asking me about the typical expenses associated with the Clean up and Awareness Campaigns, and today, and every other day, I have been giving him the typical expenses. Organizing a successful Clean-up and Awareness Campaign is a tedious affair. It involves making several phone calls, hosting several meetings, writing several letters, remaining online for several hours, traveling and all that.

It also involves serious thinking.

At The Clean Kenya Campaign, I must appreciate that Eng Courage was one of the first few people who saw relevance in what we were doing and he did give us support initially. Then, unlike Saul who saw light and transformed into a better person, Courage saw darkness and lost his tracks and confidence in the Campaign. But, we are so elated that ultimately, he has met his Damascus and he is firmly back with us in The Clean Kenya Campaign and offering us some very useful hints and advice.

We are hence appealing and inviting all of us, whenever we are, to all join in The Clean Kenya Campaign and ensure that we have a Clean Country come 1st June 2013.

If the People, the Government and the Councils are with us, we can stand in our way?

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,

The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC

Tel; 0724 365 557
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com

The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya.

Kenya: Kenyans must deliver Kenya – 1st June 2013

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From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

We are living in hard times as we approach celebrating our 50 years of Independence next year.

We at The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC are very appreciative with the many Kenyans who have joined with us in this Campaign. If you want to support in any way, please visit About Us in our website- www.kcdnkenya.org

A Clean Kenya is achievable, even within one day. We only need leadership, clear resolve, commitment and patriotism. We must not live like Pigs in our own Country, just because Waste and Garbage is overwhelming us, yet, these are Gold Mines waiting to be tapped.

During The 2nd Consultative Forum on Waste Management, I was impressed with the presentation from Ms Kithinji from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. On the mass production of flimsy paper by the Manufacturers, she blamed us for not tapping into that as a raw resource for conversion. If Mzee ‘Prof’ Munywe of Kayole Environment Management Association can make fencing poles from plastic at his small level, then, major investors would do great making Electric Poles from the same.

They only need Government commitment and support and they will move in big time.

In the process, we would save our Trees and boost our Tree Cover in Kenya.

L-R; Dr Kepha Ombacho- Chief Public Health Officer at the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Eng Magdalene Mwende- International Ecology Manager at Bamburi Cement, Mr. Mario Kainga- Assistant Director of Environment City Council of Nairobi and Mr. Benson K Githinji- the Commandant- Traffic Department at the Kenya Police during The 2nd Consultative Forum on Waste Management

Again, we had a meeting with Mr. Ahmed Mohammed of Forsight Techologies, and we were simply impressed with what they can do with all the foul smell we get from the waste we are dumping on us. With their Enzymes, they can spray all the waste sights and get rid of the smell that is choking and killing Kenyans. But who wants to listen?

The problem is, we have some tired academicians in charge of Government Departments charged with this duty. We also have a new breed of bright academicians who have come out and joined in The Clean Kenya Campaign. We will work with them to ensure that Kenya is as Clean as any other Nation and Waste is made a Resource for Conversion. But for the tired academicians, the ones that only gloat about their PhD status, we will forcefully evict them from Government service. This is our Government and we have every stake in it.

We cannot live as if Waste is such an issue that needs constant studies. You will realize that the City Council of Nairobi, in their own admission, said that in partnership with JICA, they did a Master Plan on Solid Waste Management for Nairobi in 1988 and REVIEWED the same in 2010. They have now painted some vehicles and branded them with- Solid Waste Management insignias and possibly, they are doing some further studies. They are doing something definately. But one thing they are not doing is; they are not getting rid of the mounds of garbage and waste at every corner.

This is not acceptable. We want action. Not studies. Again, if this Team is tired, they MUST ship out, or shape up.

And as a Team, we are going to push the various Councils into action. If the City Council of Nairobi cannot wake up and do something, as we move on with our Programmes, we are going to mobilize all the Residents of Nairobi to come dump their waste at City Hall, so City Hall can see what to do with it. Maybe, it will give them nearer sampling for further studies.

I am hence giving NOTICE to these mandarins at City Hall, your time is up. We must bring Nairobi back to her lost glory as a Green City in the sun. And we have never issued a notice that we have failed to honour. We will dump waste on you very soon.

Lastly, we have realized that the vested interests are re-grouping and now, they are using the Secretaries to block some of our communications to the bosses. One such Secretary is the one to the Director-General of the National Environment Management Authority who sat on our invitation to the DG to attend The 2nd Consultative Forum on Waste Management. The DG NEVER saw our invitation.

Your time is up and we are sealing all holes. Kenya must be made Clean, and for this, we have no apologies.

Let us all work for a Clean Kenya as a Transformative Deliverable as we turn 50.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,

The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC

Tel; 0724 365 557
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Mailing Group; friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com

The Clean Kenya Campaign is an Initiative of The KCDN Kenya.