Welcome to KCDN

This is KCDN, an Environmental Management, Economic Empowerment and Poverty Eradication Civil Society.

We welcome you to our site. Kindly feel free to share with us your thoughts. Ideas that add value will be appreciated. Ideas that want to make us improve our physical environment will be welcome. And more so, ideas that redirect us from the lost cause will be of immense value.

It is us who will improve the lot of our Environment, our Economy and make Kenya a Clean Country, where People join hands to work for our own Economic Emancipation and where Municipal Solid Waste Management is looked at as a resource, not as waste.

We need to set the standards in this region of the World and become the referral point in how a people can join hands and work for their own Economic Liberation, where waste can be used as raw material and become a source of employment for our people.

Our collective actions will surely make a difference. This is why in partnership with our Key Strategic Partners- The Public Service Transformation Department, the National Environment Management Authority, the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation,other key Ministries, the Local Authorities in Kenya, the Provincial Administration, A Better World, Akiba Uhaki Foundation and other Partners, we are moving deliberately in sensitizing and mobilizing Kenyans to work towards A Clean Kenya where waste is separated at source.

And this is why we are inviting Kenyans to join with us in The Clean Kenya Campaign and be a Member of Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd

Welcome.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Team Leader & Executive Director,
KCDN, KSSL, KICL & TCKC,
Tel; 0724 365 557,
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com, kimishodevelopment@gmail.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Change we must work for; A Clean Kenya

Friends,
On 1st June 2013, we will be celebrating our 50 Years of Independence as a Country.
In preparation of this, I was looking at the First Medium Term Plan- 2008-2012 of the Kenya Vision 2030 and I was impressed with the thinking and the proposals. In his Forward to the MTP 2008-2012, President Mwai Kibaki makes emphasis on creation of more employment opportunities for the Youth who presently constitute the largest segment of the Nation's labour force and the pool of the unemployed.
He also makes emphasis on the support from the Private Sector in the form of both local and Foreign Direct Investment- FDI to help achieve the objects of the First Medium Term Plan. He firmly anchors the delivery of the MTP 2008-2012 on the devolved policy on the Public Private Partnership, where dedication and commitments from ALL Kenyans- Private Sector, Civil Society and Development Partners work in harmony.

This was inspiring. His Excellency the President realized that Kenyans problems were enormous and could not be resolved by Government Employees alone. He invited the Public, the Civil Society and the Development Partners to come together and work as a Team to help Kenya realize the objects of the First Medium Term Plan 2008-2012. That was great wisdom which all Public Servants ought to appreciate and effect.
I then looked at our Constitution and I was keen on Chapter 4 Article 42; Environment
42. Every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment. At Chapter 5 Article 69, this is what the Law says,especially at [d]; Obligations in respect of the environment
69. (1) The State shall—(d) encourage public participation in the management, protection and
conservation of the environment;

The MTP 2008-2012 targets the creation of additional 3.5Million jobs and we at The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC firmly believe that the process of Waste Management can help create some of these jobs.
Armed with such Powerful Allies, a Team of Kenyans came together to champion The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC as a deliberate effort to help focus on the massive garbage that is clogging our Towns. We set to work for a Clean Kenya as our deliverable for Kenya next Year as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary of Independence. This is a Transformative Agenda for us as Kenyans and it is our input to help realize the objects of Vision 2030.
We are excited that The Clean Kenya Campaign has brought together people and institutions who firmly believe that a Clean Kenya can be possible by 1st June 2013. And to this extent, we want to appreciate the support we have continued to receive from the following Institutions;
  1. The Public Service Transformatuion Department at the OPM
  2. The Provincial Administration at the OP
  3. The Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
  4. The Ministry of Local Government
  5. The National Environment Management Authority
  6. The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
  7. The Ministry of State for Special Programmes
  8. The Ministry of Education
  9. The Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development
  10. The Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat
  11. A Better World
  12. Akiba Uhaki Foundation
  13. The City Council of Nairobi
  14. The Municipal Council of Mombasa
  15. The Municipal Council of Kisumu
  16. The Municipal Council of Eldoret
  17. The Municipal Council of Nyeri
  18. Friends of The Clean Kenya Campaigns- TCKC
  19. Members of the CIA Club at TCKC
This is a Transformative Agenda for Kenya and all are invited to play their part as we work towards the Process of Piloting Separation of Waste at Source as an economic activity to help mitigate the unemployment issues as we work towards realizing the objects of the First Medium Term Plans of the Kenya Vision 2030.

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

Sunday, July 29, 2012

LEADING BY EXAMPLE-JUDGES JOIN CLEANILNESS AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Yesterday, some senior Judges and judicial officers headed the call to lead in the awareness campaign by physically taking up the cleaning of their courts. They showed by example their belief in a Clean Kenya. This symbolic gesture is not only good for the awareness campaign but is a definite challenge to all of us to keep our environments clean. Many work places where we spend many hours each day are in very deplorable conditions. Is it any wonder that we suffer poor health?
Yesterday, the Kisumu Municipal council was also making a statement; the Mayor and Town Clerk have made a deliberate commitment to make the City one of the cleanest in The Great Lakes region. The Municipal Council of Eldoret a few weeks ago embarked on a Ksh. 700 million waste recycling initiatives to deal with the waste and garbage menace in Eldoret town. As The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC continues to lobby the country to embrace cleaner environment, we are happy to announce that the campaign is, in the words of Mr. Emmanuel Lubembe, Head of Public Service Transformation Department and Mr. Titus Simiyu, Provincial Director of Environment-NEMA, becoming viral.
When such deliberate steps are taken by those mandated to ensure a clean Kenya, like the 2 councils have done, we must support such endeavors. The action of the judges was very symbolic. The way we view our immediate work environments reflects greatly on how we deliver services in those offices but also how the public perceives the seriousness of those offices. It speaks volumes of our attempt not only to clean the physical environment but the ethical and moral environments in which we operate. It is an irony of situations and borders on hypocrisy to be comfortable in physically dirty environments and expose moral and ethical cleanliness.
As we continue to lobby all who are central to this process of ridding Kenya of filth, let us also announce that TCKC had a series of brief meetings yesterday with among others, Mr. Mugo Kibati, Director General-Vision 2030 Secretariat and he is very excited at the prospects of delivering a clean Kenya next year as Kenya turns 50. We will be having structured engagements with Vision 2030 Secretariat on how to proceed and ensure success of this initiative.
Asmara is a clean city; Kigali is also a clean city. These are our neighbors who have had far bigger challenges than us. However, they have had a resolve to transform their societies and it is paying off. Today, Kigali is becoming a class destination in the region for tourism and investment. We must make similar resolve to make our cities destinations for tourism not only by cleaning them but ensuring they attract investment where possible; we ought to strive to attract investors through turning challenges such as garbage into opportunities.
On the 28th August 2012 at the KICC, we will host, together with key partners the 2nd Consultative forum on separation of waste at source and recycling. Invited are several key stakeholders whose input will drive this national agenda forward. We will discuss the practical steps of implementing separation of waste, we will look into ways of bench making waste management and best practices, creating competition among towns, cities and municipalities through Award systems, ways of engaging organized groups to participate through investing in recycling waste, awarding and rewarding innovation in areas of waste management, enhancing capacity and target scale up of existing initiatives, short term training, knowledge and information sharing, production of literature and documentaries on waste management and a host of other areas that will ensure this is a take-off trans-formative national agenda. We will definitely have several programs that ensure waste management opens up investment opportunities, becomes a motivation for innovation, a front for competition, a source and convergence of knowledge, a social and economic network that makes us proud of our ability to foment home grown solutions without looking for outward support. We have all the necessary capital as a country, both human and financial resources to ensure such.
I must commend our key partners but also welcome those who are coming on board. The list of those who wish for a clean Kenya is growing by the day; we have had a series of meetings with both public and private institutions and the response is overwhelming, the desire and expectations high.
It is for this reason that we are doing our best to bring everybody on board because we are all waste generators in one way or the other, this is a process that requires inclusiveness, participation but above all, ownership by each and every one us of. None of us wishes to live in filth and squalor. Several groups have approached both TCKC and NEMA to partner in this initiative, a clear testimony that the campaign is reaching far and wide. We welcome all on board.
We have embarked on a campaign on all fronts, from our estates, informal settlements to our towns, our social media to the mainstream, public and private sector, youth and women groups, councils, the highest offices to the ones on the ground implementing policy.
On Tuesday the 31st July 2012, a Central Business District-CBD meeting with the business community in River Road, Nairobi will take place to discuss how to manage waste within the city. We are happy to announce that this has been called by the Ward Manager, CBD. In our 1st Consultative forum on 11th July 2012, all Ward Managers from all the 74 wards in Nairobi were in attendance and a good number have found new impetus and motivation to make their wards best practices.
We are happy to work with council staff in all councils in driving this agenda forward.
We also appreciate all who have dedicated support to this process in terms of resource mobilization, technical and professional input, planning and documenting. We owe it to Kenyans to deliver a Clean, Prosperous, Productive and Peaceful Kenya. C3PK.
Best,
 
Otieno Sungu.
Programs Manager,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC.
0729294743.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

POWER AND LEADERSHIP-IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL AGENDA.

POWER AND LEADERSHIP-IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL AGENDA.
 
It is campaign time and many are criss-crossing the country promising mega and monumental feats as soon as they step into office next year.
Two days ago on NTV morning show, I watched, as I prepared for the day, one such contestant for Nairobi Governorship being interviewed on his agenda for Nairobi County. I must agree the man had grand ideas; he had a grasp of how he will manage the county if given a chance. He elaborated what he will achieve with waste management; create wealth and opportunities for the youth and rid our city of waste.
It all sounded good until the interviewer asked if he has any such initiative already going on which he could showcase, and why he has to be Governor to initiate such. Unfortunately, his answer was in the negative, no initiative, wait till I become Governor and I will do these things.
Meanwhile, the constitution provides at Chapter 4 Article 42 that;
“Every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment.
This provision is not for next year or when some person or the other becomes this or that position, this provision is for now.
This is just a case of what many other aspirants are promising Kenyans. I have had a few chances to meet a few such aspirants and the story is the same, theories upon another. While all these promises abound, some of these challenges do not require power to institute. Many of our leaders and aspiring leaders misconstrue leadership for power. Many have taken the belief that they need power to become leaders hence the myriad of promises and goodies going round as they seek power. On the flip-side, the irony is about those who already hold power in various capacities of public office today with absolutely no idea what to do with it, leave alone an agenda.
If one can do something in 2013, they can as well begin now. That should be convincing enough. The greats of history never held the instruments of power to transform their societies. Martin Luther King needed no instruments of power to fight racial injustice, Mahatma Gandhi never ascended to power to become a great influence on our lives, Mother Teresa never yearned for high office to work with the down trodden and transform lives of the poor.
If our leaders realized that what they promise tomorrow they can begin delivering today, we can become a great country and implement all these great ideas.
One area choking our lives is waste and garbage. We do not need for people to become Presidents, Governors, Senators and MPs before we can tackle this menace.
After all, presently, we have a President, a Prime Minister, Vice President, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Mayors, Town Clerks, etc; in essence, there is absolutely no vacuum that necessitates the wait. Any position you may think of in terms of implementation has an office bearer.
This is why, as we seek to initiate separation of waste as mitigation towards better waste management in our towns and cities, we believe this is something that does not require any further promises, it does not require any further theories and definitely not new leaders, all it requires is goodwill and commitment to implement what should be implemented. The ideas are all over, local case studies abound, experts available in public and private sector, interventions that are ongoing whose capacities only need enhancement.
What we need to do is craft practical steps towards separation of waste and begin implementing the small bits that we can, support and enhance capacities of existing initiatives and establish a framework for new ones to thrive. These steps do not require for 2013 and new leaders.
I want to continue saluting The Public Service Transformation Department at the Office of The Prime Minister for supporting this initiative, I want to salute NEMA for standing firm that this can be done, I want to salute the various Ministries, in particular Ministry for Environment and Mineral Resources, Ministry for Public Health and Sanitation, Ministry for Special Programs and The Ministry for Nairobi Metropolitan Development. Particularly, let me say that Hon Beth Mugo has gone a step forward to specifically enumerate the practical steps her Ministry will initiate towards ensuring separation of waste and recycling becomes a reality.
These are the practical steps we continue calling for, all those concerned must as well take practical steps to ensure within their mandates; they institute measures that will set the ball rolling. If it is enforcement, let those concerned become vigilant and put in place deterrent measures, If it is provision for garbage receptacles, let these be provided, if it is regulations requiring separation before disposal, let us institute these. If we need to build and enhance capacity of existing initiatives, we need to get on with it. Local case studies are all over that simply need to be enhanced and replicated and soon we will be rid of most of the solid waste such as polythene, plastic and household waste. We are already spearheading a massive campaign at grassroots levels targeting youth and women groups in readiness for recycling waste; we are driving an online campaign on social media, forums and mainstream media.
What this country must learn to do is to get things done; we call on those with a sense of true leadership to begin in their small ways not any other time but now.
On the 28th of August 2012 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre-KICC, The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC and many other stakeholders from both public and private sector will hold the 2nd Consultative forum on practical steps towards implementing separation of waste in Nairobi. The 1st such forum identified the challenges, discussed modalities and possibilities. This coming forum will narrow down to actual form and structure of implementation. We trust by December, as Kenya gears to turn 50, we can deliver a cleaner and safer Kenya as a token for our people’s patience with poor living conditions.
At least we can deliver this in 50 years for this, ladies and gentlemen, is what leadership is all about.
 
Otieno Sungu,
Programs Manager,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC.
0729294743.

Speech by Hon Beth Mugo- Minister for Public Health and Sanitation



SPEECH BY HON BETH MUGO EGH, MP AND MINISTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SANITATION
DURING THE OPERATION RECLAIM NAIROBI FROM WASTE ON 21ST JULY 2012 AT ST JOHNS COMMUNITY PUMWANI.

The Chief Executive Officers from various organizations,
Representatives and departmental heads from other Ministries,
City Council of Nairobi
Distinguished Guests,
All the residents of Pumwani,
All Protocol Observed,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure to join you today to host operation reclaim Nairobi from waste. This is a noble undertaking that should be promoted and Practiced by all Kenyans without exception.

In this connection, I wish to appreciate The Clean Kenya Campaign – TCKC and all the Friends of TCKC who have made this Campaign in Pumwani a success today.   As we thank you, we also appeal to you to sustain and enhance the efforts to sensitize Kenyans to be more responsive to the needs of a Clean and sustainable environment.

Ladies and Gentlemen
This is a campaign that all Cities, Municipal and other town CEOs in Kenya should embrace and actively participate in. I therefore want to recall and remind the CEOs of Prof Karega Mutahi’s call to set aside every 3rd Saturday of the Month from 7.00a.m to 9.00a.m for this noble exercise made in his speech to inaugurate the World Clean up Day at Umoja in Nairobi. This is an event that I personally have expressed support and in
which I wish to request every Kenyan to participate.

Solid Waste Management is a challenge that affects all the urban areas and impacts negatively in health as heaps of garbage form good breeding sites of disease vectors such mosquitoes and rodents.

It must therefore be confronted proactively by all. In this connection, I want to urge all stakeholders, particularly town and county clerks to create order within their areas of jurisdiction and enforce the relevant by-laws. Let us work
Together to apprehend all those who litter our urban areas and require them to account for their actions. However, as we do that we must also spend time to educate those who may be ignorant. As we educate the ignorant, let us make sure that those who deliberately dump garbage by the roadsides are brought to book. In this regard, residents’ associations need to be informed and empowered to act.

It is also time we instituted measures to separate waste at source. It is important for our people to start viewing waste as wealth by embracing the principles of Re-using, Re-Cycling and reducing (3Rs). Working with my colleagues from the relevant Ministries, we will encourage industrialists, to work closely with the Youth and Women groups who are working in the areas of Waste Management to buy the waste that has been well separated at source from these groups. To this end, we will encourage Local Authorities and Environmental health department within my Ministry to designate central garbage collection points within all the estates to enable such groups operate. The Local Authorities should also engage in training people on the separation of solid wastes into different types.

Ladies and Gentlemen
There must be order and discipline in our lives and the work places. It is disheartening to see people throwing out garbage, cans and other solid wastes as they drive along the roads. I appeal to all law enforcement agencies such as the police, Public health   and all local authorities’ askaris to apprehend such people and have them charged in court for littering our towns, neighbourhoods and countryside.

As part of the demonstration that Nairobi can be reclaimed from waste can be a reality, my Ministry, working with local authorities will pay special attention to help in designation of sanitary dumpsites and provision of waste receptacles in selected cities, municipalities and big towns to make them a good example of what a clean market should be. In line with this effort, local authorities are encouraged to ensure that all the markets have clean toilets that are, also well lit.

As Kenya celebrates her 50 years of independence next year, I wish to appeal to all the local authorities in Kenya to ensure that as we celebrate, we do so within clean environments. To this end we will be working with relevant stakeholders, including TCKC, to enhance cleanliness of our towns. It is proposed that measures be put in place to inculcate a sense of competition among towns. We invite all our Partners, including the Corporates and any other willing Partner to work with us in giving incentives to urban authorities that wish to engage in clean-up campaigns.

In order to make responsible waste management sustainable, deliberate steps need to be undertaken to engage all actors i.e. City Departments, Partners, Corporates, NGOs, Schools and Religious Groups, just to mention a few. To realize our rights on clean and sustainable environment, it is important for this exercise to be owned by all stakeholders.

In conclusion, I wish to stress that a clean Kenya is not only possible but also noble. As such, let us all join our efforts here, today, tomorrow and always in creating a clean and good environment conducive for healthy living.

I thank you. God bless you, God bless Kenya our motherland.

The Speech was read on her behalf by Dr Gamaliel Omondi- Senior Assistant Chief Public Health Officer at the Ministry during the Clean up Campaign at Pumwani on the 21st July 2012.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Practical steps towards separation of waste at source

Dear Sam,
Much appreciated, IOPK set the ball rolling in 1998, we need to ensure we get to the logical conclusion of separation of waste. We are happy to have had you and IOPK both during our 1st consultative meeting at Charter Hall on 11th July 2012 where you shared very insightful ideas.
We also held a meeting with both you and Dr. Robert Arunga recently in Kileleshwa where we agreed to explore mutual cooperation and ways we can bring our strengths together to achieve a clean Kenya but more so, create wealth and opportunities in the process.
By virtue of this, IOPK is acknowledged as a believer of a clean Kenya. You are among our key partners with whom we are planning this trans-formative process to deliver a cleaner safer Kenya as we turn 50 next year.
I was only welcoming new entrants to the scene as we continue to mobilize and rally all Kenyans to come together to deliver a better Kenya next year.
I do hope we shall meet and deliberate further during the 2nd Consultative forum to be held on the 28th August 2012 where we intend to bring on board all stakeholders to put in place practical steps towards achieving this.We must appreciate the efforts of The Public Service Transformation Department and the National Environment Management Authority-NEMA and key Ministries for supporting and driving this agenda.
You notice that The Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, Hon Beth Mugo, has already pledged practical steps to ensure this can be a reality.
This is where we are headed, practical steps, actualizing all these thoughts that have been developed over the years.
There are many discussions around separation of waste but practical steps is what is lacking, the Japanese Government through the JAICA program with City Hall begun discussions about 2 years ago, we want to bring these thoughts into play and ensure such discussions translate to implementable action on the ground.
Each one of us is a stakeholder by virtue of the fact that we generate waste either at home, work place, markets, schools etc. Let us all come together, consolidate efforts and take personal responsibility in this process.
Best,
Otieno Sungu.
Program Manager,
The Clean Kenya Campaign.
0729294743.

From: samuel moturi Sent: Monday, July 23, 2012 1:25 PM
Subject: (VVM Forum) Re: [PK] APPRECIATING EQUITY BANK, ST.JOHNS COMMUNITY CENTER AND HON.BETH MUGO.

The INSTITUTE OF PACKAGINGVOF KENYA (IOPK) HAS BEEN IN THE 4R PROGRAM SINCE 1998!
CHAIR,
SAM MOTURI

Monday, July 23, 2012

The Port City of Asmara

Friends,
As I make this posting, my heart is with my kid Sister who has just lost her Husband. May the almighty God rest his soul in peace and give my Sister the strength to bear the loss.
Now, The East Africa Youth Forum 2012 was hosted in the Port City of Asmara from the 7th July 2012. The Forum was attended by several Youth Leaders from across the whole of East Africa.
One thing that surprised all the participants was how clean Asmara is. I am told, they did not see any single dirt. And yet, Eritrea is only 21 Years into their Independence.
One thing that stood out for the Youths was the resolve by the Public Officers to do their work. They make it so easy for the general populace to fall in place and maintain Law and Order.
I bet we must do something in Kenya.
I am happy to report that The Clean Kenya Campaign has taken root and the Government Agencies concerned are working with us to ensure that as we celebrate 50 Years into our Independence next year, a Clean Kenya shall have been achieved.
This is a deliberate deliverable initiative and on the 28th August 2012, we will be hosting The 2nd Consultative Forum on Waste Management at the KICC where we will look at Practical Steps that we must make in the Process of Separation of Waste at Source. A Strategic Planning Session for this will be hosted on the 31st July and all those whom have been invited are very key to the success of this Campaign.
A Clean Kenya at 50 is very possible. Eritrea has achieved it. Rwanda has achieved it. Why can we not achieve the same?

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557

Appreciating Hon Beth Mugo, St John's Community and Pygron

 I want to appreciate the 2 institutions and the Hon. Beth Mugo, Minister for Public Health and Sanitation. But before I do so, I want to share a story why I am appreciating them.
On Thursday July 19st, St. Johns Community Center hosted a consultative forum at the centre where The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC was invited to talk to a network of youth groups, Pumwani Youth Groups Network-PYGRON. PYGRON runs waste collection in Pumwani and environs among other activities to earn some income.They came together to start honest income generating activities in order to avoid crime that has felled many of their peers.
During the deliberations, the main challenge facing such groups in Huruma, Pumwani, Majengo, Dandora is what to do with the waste once they collect. They have no trucks to cart it away once collected from residents. What then happens is that the garbage ends up along road sides and any open space with the hope the council will collect. They use hand carts to do the work. For fear of arrest, many such groups have resorted to dumping waste in neighboring estates at night. A war of waste is thus developing within the estates, especially the lowly ones. This challenge is probably faced by many others such groups across the city.
During the same discussions, the issue of toilets kept coming up, most of these things were abstract to me then, just the way we talk about poverty as an abstract concept but on Saturday the 21st when we held the Cleanup and awareness campaign in Majengo/Pumani, these things became very clear once we got into Majengo. I came face to face with these challenges, faced them, felt them and lived them albeit for a short while. Inside Majengo, things change.
While cleaning, I kept coming across plastic bottles filled with brownish/green liquid. Curious, I asked one elderly lady cleaning next to me what these bottles contained. She told me in Kiswahili, ‘hayo ni mkojo mwanagu”.For a moment, it struck me how things I take for granted can be such monumental challenge to some, like a short call in the comfort and decency of my toilet. Realizing my puzzle, she further explained that there are no public toilets nearby, the nearest being in Gikomba Market thus adults urinate in bottles inside their abodes and throw the mess outside because they cant make countless trips every time nature calls. During the day, they can walk to the public toilets for long calls but at night because if insecurity, they use polythene bags and dispose in the drainage during the day. Now, the mess and muck we had been struggling to clear from the clogged drainage was human waste, bottles of urine mixed with all sorts of other odd waste from households, including sanitary waste.Now, you can imagine the environment children playing around contend with on a daily basis!!
Let me get back to why I am appreciating Equity, St. Johns and Hon Beth Mugo. St. Johns has been supporting PYGRON through arranging for training for them, equipping them with skills and offering and encouraging them to seek opportunities within the community instead of resorting to crime.The forum we held was to discuss sustainable waste management.
Equity Bank, Gikomba Branch has been part of the community development committee. During the meeting on Thursday, the Branch Manager proposed to lobby the business community to buy a truck for PYGRON so that they could do a better job on garbage collection. He also promised free training for PYGRON on entrepreneur skills and basic financial management to ensure they are able to manage their investments better. He also promised that his branch would avail small loans for youth and women groups within PYGRON.
Hon Beth Mugo, Minister for Public Health and Sanitation send Dr. Omondi, a Senior Assistants Chief Public Health Officer at her Ministry for the cleanup and awareness campaign.
In her speech, she made the following key observations;
 
  • That all of us should join hands to reclaim Nairobi from waste.
  • That we must sustain and enhance the efforts to sensitize Kenyans to be more responsive to the needs of a clean and sustainable environment.
  • That the corporate should take a lead in supporting environmental awareness campaigns.
  • She recounted the call by Profesor Karega Mutahi that we set aside every 3rd Saturday of the month to clean our neighborhoods.
  • That solid waste management is a challenge that affects and impacts negatively on health
  • That we must all proactively confront this challenge.
  • That town and county clerks must begin creating order within their jurisdictions and enforce the relevant by-laws.
  • That we need to begin apprehending those who litter and make them account for their actions.
  • That we educate the ignorant but ensure those who dump deliberately by roadsides and dealt with.
  • That resident associations need to be empowered to act with regard to such deliberate acts of dumping.
  • That it is time we instituted measures for separation of waste at source.
  • That we begin viewing waste as a source of wealth.-Reuse, recycle and redusing-3Rs.
  • She appealed to all law enforcement agencies such as police, Public health and all local authorities to apprehend those who litter and have them charged in court.
  • Encouraged local authorities to ensure all markets have clean toilets that are also well lit. Proposed that measures be put in place to inculcate a sense of competition among towns.
  • Deliberate steps to be taken to engage all actors. i.e City Departments, Partners, NGOs, Corporates, Schools, Religious Groups,etc to make responsible waste management sustainable through owning this process.
  • That a clean Kenya is not only possible but noble hence the need to join hands to create clean and good environment conducive for living.
The Hon Minister made the following concrete commitments towards achieving some of the observations she made above;

·      Her Ministry will encourage Local Authorities and Environmental Health Departments within her Ministry to designate central garbage collection points within all estates to enable youth groups that wish to engage in separation and recycling to operate.
·      Her Ministry will pay special attention to help in designation of sanitary dump-site and provision of waste receptacles in selected cities, municipalities and big towns.
·         Her Ministry will work with stakeholders, including TCKC to enhance cleanliness of our towns through massive awareness and sensitization.

Dr. Omondi, on behalf of the Ministry, pledged that whenever we hold similar cleanup an awareness campaigns, the Ministry for Public Health and Sanitation will avail protective gear such as gloves, gumboots and nose masks.
I am appreciating these efforts because they are deliberate steps, they are the required action that we must all begin taking to ensure we are not overrun by waste.They are the things we must rally ourselves in order to tackle waste menace.
As we continue this journey of hope that we will deliver a fairly cleaner and safer Kenya as we turn 50 next year, I want to invite such deliberate acts of mitigation, such determination to rise above words and get down to action.
The two institutions, Equity and St. Johns Community Centre have joined our growing list of those who believe that a clean Kenya is possible and that we must put a stop to filthy, squalor and garbage ruling our streets, estates, neighborhoods, towns and cities.
A Cleaner and Safer Kenya is possible at 50 years next year.

Otieno Sungu.
Programs Manager,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC.
0729294743.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Congratulations Father Tony

Friends,
The Reverend Father Tony is celebrating 16 Years in Priesthood as a Catholic Priest. On behalf of myself and my Family, I would like to congratulate him for the Years he has put in serving the Lord and for the joy he brings to us every Sunday in Church.
The Rev Fr Tony was born in Ghana and while he was 5 Years, he loved going to Church with his Parents. He especially liked the bit where the Church Goers would present the Catholic Priest with Pineapples during offertory times. He loved Pineapples but given that he was coming from a humble background, they could not afford to place Pineapples on the table after meals.
He made up his mind to be a Priest in his adulthood, principally so that he could be receiving the Pineapples every Sunday as a Priest.
He joined the Priesthood and was posted as a Priest to Kayole in 1996 where he served for a few Months before being transferred to Eldoret. He served in Eldoret for 3 Years and not even once did any person make a Pineapple offering.
While celebrating his 3rd Year as a Priest, he gave his story and the following Sunday, many Faithfuls lined up with Pineapple offerings.
Now, Rev Fr Tony is always a blessing to us at our local Catholic Church. He is sharp, articulate and has a sense of humour that keeps all of us attentive to his sermons.
As he was receiving the offerings of today, in his characteristic humour, he lifted a Pineapple that he received as part of today's offering to the delight of many of us.
Once more, congratulations to the Rev Fr Tony as he serves the Lord into the future. May He give you the humour and humility to be in His service for the good of humanity.

Odhiambo T Oketch
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Dada Rose,
Thanks for the complements. We are doing the much that needs to be done as a starting point.First and foremost, take time and read what Oto has taken from what Hon. Minister Madam Beth Mugo said. We will share the soft copy of the whole speech online, it has some very great thoughts.
She made some very great observations.As for littering, we must acknowledge there are challenges which need to be dealt with to reduce the mounds of waste all over.
As we were driving to Pumwani, we used Juja Road, the whole stretch from roundabout("Raunda") junction of that road and Outer Ring is one hell of a mess and dumping site on both sides. The streets into Eastleigh is not any better. Not only is Dandora a dump site but our roads and streets are turning into dump sites, literally every open space is becoming a dump site!
The problems is becoming bigger and we need to address the challenge. We cannot assume it is only the council that is not doing what it ought to do, we must also take individual responsibility and acknowledge we are facing a crisis.
Having said that, we must focus on sustainable solutions to this growing challenge.Yesterday on Family TV, we discussed what we believe is the best solution. ,Make waste management attractive as an investment opportunity, this will make the ideas of separating waste attractive because the separated waste will he held as raw materials for sale to the converters. If we can encourage this route, and this is what TCKC is doing, we will cut by more than half the problem.
We are now holding forums with youth networks and sharing with them local case studies of what others are doing with waste. Visit Maasai Market on Saturdays and you will be amazed what folks are using polythene paper for, plastics, etc.These capacities need to be enhanced and replicated.
These do not even require huge recycling plants, these people are simply being creative and innovative.
If you watched the documentary before our interview on family TV aired yesterday, you must have noticed the old man in Kayole who is recycling plastics and polythene and making fencing posts with the same. His wife is making vikapu from strands and strings of polythene.Youths have become his suppliers of the raw materials, the area has become cleaner and the drainage are never clogged with plastics and polythene.
These are the ideas we are documenting and sharing with the groups we meet.
Until we begin reducing the waste generated through recycling, it will not be easy to deal with waste in our towns.
But as we do this, we are also trying to talk to partners who can support the process and there are many ways of doing so. Just the other day in Pumwani, Equity Bank Manager at Gikomba agreed to mobilize other corporates to help buy a truck for transporting waste so that PYGRON youth network can begin separating waste, transport what can be recycled to the converters to sell and then the rest to designated places where they can he dealt with by the council. That is a great step, it will reduce the waste that goes to Dandora and can be used to create opportunities and give the youth some income.
Remember, closing Dandora cannot be a solution before we have thought out what to do with the waste, takataka will spill all over and overrun our homes. We discussed this with NEMA who were contemplating closing it and advised that we first of all go the separation and recycling way to reduce waste en route to Dandora then it would be easy to task the council to now find better ways of handling the less that 50% that gets to Dandora.
As we were in Pumwani, many were asking if they will be paid to do the cleanup, others just sat looking at us, while others came out with rubbish to throw in the places we had cleaned. Now, this is a matter of attitudes and that is why after every cleanup, we hold a forum to sensitize residents of the dangers they expose themselves in those kind of living conditions.
You do not solve a problem by creating another, it is better to look for lasting solutions that solves the problems once and for all.
Best,

Otieno Sungu.
TCKC.



From: ROSE KAGWIRIA
To: "progCc: "Vu>
Sent: Saturday, July 21, 2012 2:19 PM
Subject: (VVM Forum) Re: [PK] Let us apprehend those who litter- Hon Beth Mugo

OTO
You are doing a very good job. Keep up. However, when you find a problem get a realistic solution. For example, if you tell people not to through waste all over, you should find out why they are doing it and provide what is missing. The other day I found very nice roasted maize which I bought, ate but had nowhere to through the maize cob. Before i threw it on the roadside, I checked if there was a police or army man around because If you do what I did in rwanda, you will find yourself behind bars for some days. Police are all over on the roads guarding not only people from terrorists but environment from being contaminated. WASTE BINS ARE ALL OVER ON RWANDAN ROADS. So please tell whoever is concerned to provide what is missing. Secondly, I hope you will see to it that Dandora dumping  site is relocated. Its a health hazard to dandora people.Those guys who own those plots should stop the business and use the plots for other purposes. As long as Dadora dumping site remains where it is, I will not agree with anybody who says is doing any clean up. Better flying toilets than that dumping site. Its causing alot of respiratory problems to that community especially at night when they burn it. Its also a security risk. Imagine if alshabab lands his bomb there or hinds there pretending to be chokora? Its food for your thoughts

Let us apprehend those who litter- Hon Beth Mugo

Dear Friends,
The Minister for Public Health and Sanitation Hon Beth Mugo today called upon all the law enforcement agencies such as the Police, Public Health Officers, Local Authority Askaris and the People of Kenya to apprehend all those who litter and deposit garbage in our neighbourhoods and by our roads.
Dr Gamaliel Omondi delivering the Speech of the Hon Beth Mugo- Minister for Public Health and Sanitation at St John's Community Centre after todays Clean Up Campaign at Pumwani- 21st July 2012
In a speech read on her behalf by Dr Gamaliel Omondi- the Senior Assistant Chief Public Health Officer at her Ministry during this Month's Clean-up Campaign at Pumwani, the Minister appreciated the efforts of The Clean Kenya CampaignTCKC in sensitizing Kenyans to be more responsive to the needs of a Clean and sustainable environment.
Giving Practical Steps- Mr. Otieno Sungu- The Programmes Manager at The Clean Kenya Campaign in the trenches.
Hon Mugo invited all Cities, Municipal and Town CEOs in Kenya to embrace and actively participate in the Monthly Clean-ups and Awareness Campaigns every Month. She echoed Prof Karega Mutahi- the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, who had called on all the Town and County Clerks to set aside every 3rd Saturday of every Month between 7.00am and 9.00am to embrace this noble exercise in a speech to mark The World Clean-up Day in March 2012 in Umoja Estate.
Expressing her personal support for The Clean Kenya Campaign, she noted that it was her wish to request every Kenyan to participate because Solid Waste Management is a challenge that affects all the urban areas and impacts negatively on health as heaps of garbage form breeding grounds for disease vectors such as mosquitoes and rodents.
Residents in action with the Kenya Girl Guides at the background
Hon Mugo called on Town and County Clerks to create order within their areas of jurisdiction and enforce the relevant by-laws. She also called for massive civic education for those who may not know the qualities of separation of waste at source noting that waste must be viewed as wealth. This is an idea whose time has come and her Ministry will encourage Local Authorities and Environmental Health Department to designate central garbage collection points within all estates to enable the process of separation of waste at source to take root.
Our Children were not left behind. A Clean Kenya is our collective responsibility
The Minister urged the Local Authorities to engage in training people on the process of separation of solid wastes into different types of waste to make it easy to transport to the various recyclers and converters.
As Kenya celebrates her 50 years of Independence next year, she appealed to the Local Authorities in Kenya to ensure that as we celebrate, we do so within clean environments. To this end, her Ministry will be working with relevant stakeholders, including TCKC, to enhance cleanliness in our Towns.
A group Photo with Dr Omondi and the area Chief.
The Clean-up Campaign was attended by the Provincial Administration led by Chief Njoka, City Council of Nairobi employees from the Department of Environment, the St John's Community Centre, PYGRON, the Kenya Girl Guides Association Members, the residents of Pumwani and The Clean Kenya Campaign Team.
We will be posting the full text of the Speech by Hon Beth Mugo- Minister for Public Health and Sanitation.
And on behalf of The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC, I want to sincerely appreciate the Hon Minister for joining with us in this campaign. We are determined to work for a clean Kenya in partnership with all Kenyans and Friends of Kenya.
The City Council were at hand with their tracks to cart the garbage away
We sincerely appreciate all the teams that joined with us at Pumwani today, and we want to look forward to a bigger participation next Month in Mombasa.                                                                                 More photos are posted on the Facebook Page Odhiambo T Oketch . 

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557
Email; komarockswatch@yaoo.com
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
An Initiative of KCDN Kenya.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Municipal Council of Eldoret on the right track

Friends,
The Municipal Council of Eldoret is investing Kshs 700 Million to put up a Waste Recycling Plant at the Kipkenyo Dumpsite. They are doing this in partnership with some investors and the Sister City of Minneapolis.
This is the way to go, and we at The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC would like to appreciate His Worship the Mayor of Eldoret, the Town Clerk Mr. Stansilas Ondimu, the Councillors and all the partners who are making this happen. We are proud that the Municipal Council of Eldoret have been our Partners in The Clean Kenya Campaign.
On the same strength, we will be hosting this Months Clean-up Campaign around St John's Community Centre in Pumwani in Nairobi in a function that will be presided over by a Nominee from the Office of the Minister for Public Health and Sanitation Hon Beth Mugo. The Minister is sending Dr Omondi Gamaliel- The Senior Assistant Chief Public Health Officer at her Ministry.
We are also appreciative of the fact that the area DC Mr. Natembei will also be joining with us. The area residents under the leadership of Chief Njoka, Mr. Ruto- the Ward Manager, George- from St John's Community Centre, Mr. Singano- from PYGRON and many other Groups have taken charge and we will have a good Awareness and Clean-up Campaign.
We appreciate the following Teams who have indicated that they will participate;
  1. The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
  2. The District Public Health Office
  3. The Ministry of Education- Pumwani
  4. The City Council of Nairobi- Decentalization
  5. The City Council of Nairobi- Enforcement
  6. The City Council of Nairobi- Environment
  7. The Provincial Administration
  8. St John's Community Centre- Hosts
  9. PYGRON- Hosts
  10. Umoja Youth Group
  11. Sofia Youth Group
  12. Patron Youth Group
  13. Changamka Youth Group
  14. Las Vegas Youth Group
  15. Jitolee Pamoja Youth Group
  16. Community Policing Pumwani
  17. Equity Bank Gikomba
  18. Montana Youth Group
  19. Tijitegemee Youth Group
  20. New Kanuku Action Youth Group
  21. Gikomba CBO
  22. Yogofa Youth Group
  23. Msingi Imara Youth Group
  24. The Kenya Girl Guides Association
  25. Inoorero University Students,
  26. Coperazione Internazionale
  27. Nilinde Niishi from Korogocho
  28. The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC


We want to move decisively towards Separation of Waste at Source as an achievable  Transformative Agenda for Kenya and we are determined to achieve a Clean Kenya as our deliverable as a people on 1st June 2013 as we celebrate our 50 Years of Independence.
We are hence inviting all Kenyans whenever you are, please make your immediate surroundings Clean tomorrow.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC,
Tel; 0724 365 557,
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
An Initiative of KCDN Kenya

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Consultative Forum at Pumwani

Friends,
Lovers of a Clean Kenya around Pumwani today converged for a Consultative Forum on the Way Forward in Pumwani at St John's Community Centre- Pumwani.
This is the University of Nairobi Chiromo Campus
The meeting was convened by Mr. Ruto- The Ward Manager, in conjunction with St John's Community Centre and Pumwani Youth Groups Network- PYGRON. The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC were invited to facilitate the Forum.
Also in attendance were;
  1. Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation official
  2. Ministry of Education official
  3. Environment Officer from the City Council of Nairobi
  4. District Public Health Officer- Kamukunji
  5. Equity Bank- Gikomba and
  6. Several Groups from around Pumwani.
This is the University of Nairobi Chiromo Campus
I took the Forum through identifying the various forms of waste that we generate, how useful those wastes can be and advantages of working for a Clean Kenya.
Mr. Mwangi from Equity Bank took the Forum through the opportunities that Equity can provide in the process of Separation of Waste at Source as a Bank. He said the Banks must be part and parcel of finding a solution to the waste problem in Kenya. He gave mention to;
  1. The Banks and the Community coming together to buy a Garbage Truck for Pumwani as an incentive to the various groups. This can be done by the various players contributing to help buy such a truck
  2. The Banks bringing in investors to take advantage of the immense opportunity the waste menace presents.
  3. Discipline as a way forward towards managing our waste- initiating the separation of waste as a process needs lots of discipline 
  4. Equity is ready to finance the various Groups that engage in the Waste Value Chain- people who are looking at waste as a resource will find ready and willing partners at Equity Bank
  5. Equity Bank is ready to contribute towards the placements of Large Containers to serve as Waste Receptacles/Holding Grounds
  6. and that Equity Bank is investing in a Transport Card System that will help minimize Paper Ticketing in the Public Transport System
This is the University of Nairobi Chiromo Campus
The interventions from the Forum were such captivating with very useful insights from Ms Beatrice Vukutsa from the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Ms Lillian Akoth from the Community Strategy, also from the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Ms C Maina from the Ministry of Education, Mr. Stephen Singaro from PYGRON and several other interventions.
To crown the whole process, Mr. Otieno Sungu- The Programmes Manager at The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC, helped the Forum to come up with practical steps as a means of moving forward. He took the Forum through what we must do, and do it now. He said that we must not promise that we will do this or that in the Year 2013, 2015, or 20 whatever, yet, we can as well do it now.
Mr. Otieno Sungu of The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC crowning the moment. Seated L-R are Mr. Ruto- The Ward Manager, Odhiambo T Oketch, MsBeatrice Vukutsa and Ms Lillian Akoth - both from the  Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.
The Pumwani Team will be coordinated by Mr. Stephen Singaro from PYGRON and it will include all the stakeholders from around Pumwani.
We are pleased that the various arms of Government and The Clean Kenya Campaign Team have set very clear and deliverable objective for Kenya; A Clean Kenya by 1st June 2013.
Let us all work towards realizing this.
On the 21st July 2012, being the 3rd Saturday of the Month, we will be joining with the residents of Pumwani, the City Council of Nairobi, the Provincial Administration, the Kenya Girl Guides Association and many more Groups in an Awareness and Clean-up Campaign around St John's Community Centre in Pumwani as from 7.00am.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC,
Tel; 0724 365 557
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
An Initiative of KCDN Kenya.
 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The New Deal- FDR in the USA

Friends,
As we approach 50 Years of our Independence next Year, we need to sit up and take stock of where we have come from, what we have achieved and where we are heading to.
We all know we have failed to achieve almost all the Independence Goals, and nothing is in the works to be a deliverable flagship programme that we can rally to as a Nation come1st June 2013. We have lost the fight against poverty, disease and ignorance.
We have failed to develop an Educational Curriculum that we can be proud of as a Country. We have failed to give water to all our people. We have failed to avail affordable electricity to Kenyans. We have failed to provide affordable housing to our people. We have failed to build good roads for our people. We have killed the only Rail Transport we had.
And we have failed to manage our Waste.
These were some of the thought processes we discussed with Mtumishi Orina Cyprian Nyamwamu this afternoon over a cup of Tea.
This thought process of a Kenya with nothing to show case at 50 made us look at how the Americans resolved some of their problems which, apparently were similar to what we are currently facing. During the Reign of Franklin D Roosevelt in the 1930s, he came up with The New Deal- something that is a kin to our very own Vision 2030.
The difference between The New Deal and Vision 2030 is really glaring. While Vision 2030 is largely anchored on the future, on the Political, Social and Economic Pillars and developing time frames that we might not achieve, The New Deal was based on the Present. And it worked. And that was in the 1930s.
Under the Emergency Banking Act/Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), FDR shut down all of the banks in the nation and Congress passed the Emergency Banking Act which gave the government the opportunity to inspect the health of all banks. These measures reestablished American faith in banks. Americans were no longer scared that they would lose all of their savings in a bank failure. Government inspectors found that most banks were healthy, and two-thirds were allowed to open soon after. After reopening, deposits had exceeded withdrawals. 
Under the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) led by Harry Hopkins, a former social worker, this agency sent funds to depleting local relief agencies. Within two hours, $5 million were given out. Mr. Hopkins believed that men should be put to work and not be given charity. His program also funded public work programs. This programme revitalized many deteriorating relief programs.
Under the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the public work program gave the unemployed jobs building or repairing roads, parks, airports, etc. The CWA provided a psychological and physical boost to its 4 million workers. 
Under the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the environmental program put 2.5 million unmarried men to work maintaining and restoring forests, beaches, and parks. Workers earned only $1 a day but received free board and job training. From 1934 to 1937, this program funded similar programs for 8,500 women. The CCC taught the men and women of America how to live independently, thus, increasing their self esteem. 
The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 ended the sale of tribal lands and restored ownership of unallocated lands to Native American groups. The outcome was obviously positive for the Native Americans. 
The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) of June 1933 was enacted due to the decline in the industrial prices in 1930s that caused business failures and unemployment. The NIRA was formed in order to boost the declining prices, helping businesses and workers. The NIRA also allowed trade associations in many industries to write codes regulating wages, working conditions, production, and prices. It also set a minimum wage. The codes stopped the tailspin of prices for a short time, but soon, when higher wages went into effect, prices rose too. Thus, consumers stopped buying. The continuous cycle of overproduction and underconsumption put businesses back into a slump. Some businesses felt that the codes were too complicated and the NRA was too rigid.
The Public Works Association (PWA) launched projects such as the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. This was one of the best parts of the NIRA.
The Federal Securities Act of May 1933/ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) required full disclosure of information on stocks being sold. The SEC regulated the stock market. Congress also gave the Federal Reserve Board the power to regulate the purchase of stock on margin. This was critical for the long-term success for businesses.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) (May 1993) helped farmers and created jobs in one of Americas least modernized areas. Reactivating a hydroelectric power plant provided cheap electric power, flood control, and recreational opportunities to the entire Tennessee River valley.    
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) 1935-1943 provided work for 8 million Americans. The WPA constructed or repaired schools, hospitals, airfields, etc. This decreased unemployment.   
The Farm Security Administration (FSA) loaned more than $1 billion to farmers and set up camps for migrant workers.  
The National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) legalized practices allowed only unevenly in the past, such as closed shops in which only union members can work and collective bargain. The act also set up the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to enforce its provisions.  
The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 banned child labor and set a minimum wage. This law was a long awaited triumph for the progressive-era social reformers. 
The Social Security Act established a system that provided old-age pensions for workers, survivors benefits for victims of industrial accidents, unemployment insurance, and aid for dependent mothers and children, the blind and physically disabled. Although the original SSA did not cover farm and domestic workers, it did help millions of Americans feel more secure.  
Now, this is a sure indictment on our part as Kenyans. As we move to our 50 Years of Independence, what do we really want to celebrate as a Country on the 1st June 2013?
One thing I am sure we can achieve if we put our minds together is a Clean Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC,
Tel; 0724 365 557,
Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com 
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org 
An Initiative of KCDN Kenya 

The Clean Kenya Campaign on Family TV



THE TRAN-FORMATIVE AGENDA-OUR CITIES CAN BE CLEAN, IT IS POSSIBLE.
 
TCKC interview with Family TV will be aired this coming Friday at 8.00pm.. Odhiambo T. Oketch and Otieno Sungu discussed our vision for clean and admirable cities and towns.
Tune in to Family TV this Friday and watch a short documentary on the state of Nairobi followed by the discussions on waste management. You will also watch what some people are already doing with recycling of waste in their own small ways.The program is called It is all in the family.
It is possible for our cities, town, neighborhoods and streets to achieve zero tolerance to garbage and filth. As a country and a people, we must make a resolve that we shall stop competing with waste at every corner, street, corridors and open spaces.
A clean environment has a direct impact on our health and the cost of health. If we can reduce the cost of Medicare, if we can ensure communicable diseases are reduced, if we can ensure that we turn these mounds of waste into products, we shall not only create opportunities where challenges exist but we will benefit from better management of our environment.
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC invites all those Kenyans tired of filth to rally behind our efforts; we are all waste generators. We must look for better ways of managing the waste, we must avoid dumping waste all over, that cannot be a suitable solution.  In August, we shall hold the 2nd Consultative forum on waste management at the KICC and we invite all who want to participate in this trans-formative agenda to join us in deliberating the concrete steps towards separation of waste, recycling and converting waste to products. It has been done elsewhere and it can be done here.
We must thank the various media houses which are already taking up responsibility in the awareness campaign. In this regard, let me particularly thank The Star Newspaper, Radio Waumini, Radio Umoja and Family TV.
Managing waste is a responsibility we must all take personally, to this extent, we invite each and every Kenyan to this trans-formative agenda with a clear aim of managing waste and creating opportunities in the process. We believe no Kenyan is an enemy to cleaner and safe environments.
In the next week, we have a number of engagements with several initiatives and groups which have invited us to discuss ways in which they can add value to this campaign. We are also documenting the various ways others are already using waste from households in viable economic activities.
Best,
 
Otieno Sungu.
TCKC.
0729294743.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Clean Kenya as a Transformative Agenda for all

Dear Friends,
In 1963, our Fathers who had fought for our Independence zeroed in on three main issues amongst others as deliverables within some time lines. The agreed that they will fight;

  1. to eradicate poverty
  2. to eradicate disease, and
  3. to eradicate ignorance.
49 Years down the line, we have achieved none of these.
However, as we struggle with the challenges of poverty, disease and ignorance, we at The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC firmly believe that a Clean Kenya is achievable as we celebrate 50 Years of our Independence next Year.
It was with this in mind that The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC in partnership with the Public Service Transformation Department, the National Environment Management Authority and the City Council of Nairobi, we were able to successfully host The 1st Consultative Forum on Waste Management at Charter Hall in Nairobi.

The Forum brought together many players and we want to appreciate the following Public and Private Institutions for attending;

  1. The Public Service Transformation Department- OPM
  2. The National Environment Management Authority- NEMA
  3. The City Council of Nairobi- CCN
  4. The Nairobi Central Business District Association- NCBDA
  5. The Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
  6. The Ministry of Energy
  7. The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
  8. The Ministry of Special Programmes
  9. Unep Kenya Country Office
  10. Institute of Packaging
  11. Kenya Association of Manufacturers- KAM
  12. Inoorero University
  13. University of Nairobi
  14. Nilinde Niishi
  15. REAP
  16. National Youth Sector Alliance
  17. Green Teams
  18. Triple Bottom Line
  19. MOSSP
  20. Nature Kenya
  21. Eco Efficiency
  22. 1FM Radio
  23. The Star Newspaper
  24. Milele FM
  25. One Stop Youth Resource Centra
  26. Coopi- An Italian NGO
  27. MTYG
  28. Kenya Girl Guides Association
  29. NYC
  30. Youth Tena
  31. Esea
  32. Wildlife Africa, and
  33. The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
We all know how garbage is competing with space in Nairobi and Kenya as a whole and it was with this in mind that we came together to brainstorm on the way forward as we move towards Separation on Waste at Source in Kenya.
In the company of our Programmes Manager- Mr. Otieno Sungu, we met with Mr. Sam Moturi and Dr Robert Arunga on Sunday Morning to explore how best the Institute of Packaging of Kenya and The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC can work towards achieving this goal.
We are moving with speed to bringing all the key players on Board as we plan for The 2nd Consultative Forum on Waste Management to be hosted at the KICC on the 15th August 2012, where Practical Steps and Time Frames will be agreed upon as we move towards Separation of Waste at Source in Kenya.
Kenya will be celebrating 50 Years of Independence next Year, and we want to show-case a Clean Kenya as one of the Flagship Programmes we can benchmark as major achievements in this Transformative Agenda for our Country.
As we do this, we must appreciate all the Government and Public Officers who have realized that we all need each other to work for a Clean Kenya. It is our responsibility and we must have no apologies for keeping Kenya Clean.
This is something we are all invited to participate in and to achieve; A Clean Kenya by 1st June 2013.
If it is to be, it is up to me. A Clean Kenya Starts With me. A Peaceful Kenya is my Responsibility.

Peace and blessings.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Executive Director,
The Clean Kenya Campaign-TCKC
Tel; 0724 365 557

Blogspot; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
The Clean Kenya Campaign- Website; www.kcdnkenya.org