The Kongowea Lessons

Cleaning Kongowea Wholesale Market gave us the test of our time.
A Clean Kongowea Market
First, we were maligned and called names. We were dared to even set foot at Kongowea but our resolve was very clear. We were dealing with someone who has perfected the art of rabble rousing, and as such, we were never bothered at all. The only thing that bothered us, but only for a while was when Naomi Cidi joined in the rabble rousing.
We thought that Naomi having worked for Kenya at such senior positions was in a position to rise above smallness. We were mistaken. She descended below her status and it is sad she wants to be a Governor of some County in Kenya. We wish her well.

A dirty Kongowea before the Clean-up Campaign

We went to Mombasa and had a meeting with the Town Clerk and his team. We went back again to meet the local leaders and the market leaders. Then we went back for the Clean-up Campaign, a campaign that was attended by slightly over 5,000 traders and volunteers. A Campaign that now stands as our best effort so far across Kenya.
The result was magnificent. We have posted the photos on our Facebook Page for those who might want to view; Monthly Nationwide Clean Up Campaign and Odhiambo T Oketch.
A few lessons were learnt though and we want to clearly state them as we state our resolve to run The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign across Kenya.

1. The virulent attack on us was a blessing in disguise for us at KCDN. It made three serious groups invite us for serious discussions about the Campaign and their willingness to be our Partners. The last group just called me yesterday. We will in the fullness of time give details.
2. It exposed how some people behave. We had initiated attempts to romp in some few people to the Campaign so that we can strengthen the process across Kenya. We did not know that they were not interested in working hard for a process to succeed. They were all only interested in what they were going to be paid, but not how to work for the process to become self sustaining. We are happy that at the slightest test on KCDN and on my person, Eric Mburi, Benji Ndolo and Erickson Oduya denied us just like Peter denied Jesus at His most hour of need, and they opted out. The good thing is, we have a team that is working successfully for the Campaign and with tangible results.
3. I was accused of running KCDN as a one man show. If that is true, then I must be congratulated for being this efficient. If the success that we have witnessed across Kenya are my personal triumphs, then the Campaign will go far.
4. I was accused of being a conman and a swindler. I am happy that I am a conman and a swindler who announces what he is doing in broad day light without fear of being arrested for the crimes that I commit. I am happy that such attempts to portray me as a conman and a swindler has instead strengthened my resolve to con and swindle many more people. The good thing is, we post our request for support, partnership and participation in the open and all willing Friends respond out of their own volition.
5. There has been some demands from busy bodies and some idlers that we be transparent and accountable at KCDN. If posting what we are doing in both our blog and website is not being transparent and accountable, then, to this idlers and busy bodies I say this; we will NEVER be accountable to you. We will remain faithful to Friends of KCDN and our Partners as we have always been. We will never change this.
6. Lastly, we have more conviction that the forces of goodness will forever remain above the satanic verses. 

To this end, our Campaign continues and The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign gets more serious Partners.
A Clean Kongowea Market after the Clean-up
Lastly, in the fullness of time and at our own discretion, we will update the list of Partners in our website. All the Friends of KCDN, Institutions, Corporates and any other Donor to KCDN are well briefed and they have no problem with this intentional delay on our part to update the list of our Partners.
'Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek'- President Barack Obama of the USA.
A Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50 is possible and achievable.

Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Kenya,
National Coordinator- The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
Tel; 0724 365 557
Blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch

The best ever Clean-up Campaign; Kongowea Market

Friends,
Today we hosted the best ever Clean-up Campaign in the history of The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign at Kongowea Wholesale Market in Mombasa.
Mr Bilafif, Mr. Mulambe-partly hidden, Ms Mwakamba, Ms Sharon, Odhiambo T Oketch and other leaders during the Launch at Kongowea today the 18th Feb 2012
The event was officially launched my Ms Elipida Mwakamba- Deputy Town Clerk Reforms in the company of Mr. MS Bilafif- the Environment Director, Mr. Sylvester Mulambe- Director Education- again, he was today holding brief for the Town Clerk in Mombasa, Mr. Abdalla- the Market Superintendent, Mr. Ali Mtsumi- the Market Chairman Kongowea, Mr. Richard Onyango- Market Secretary Kongowea, Mr. Nyagah, sectional Chairman, Ms Betty Sharon- CEO Coast Women in Development, Mr. Tom Ngar- Field Officer CWID, several leaders and traders from Kongowea Market and the KCDN Team managing The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign.
The Council provided 6 Lorries, I Tractor and 1 Shovel while the work force was from the following groups;

1. Municipal Council of Mombasa
2. Kongowea Market Traders
3. International Republican Institute
4. Coast Women in Development
5. Mombasa Municipal Fire Brigade
6. Mombasa Integrated Solid Waste Management led by Mr Joseph Katana from Changamwe
7. Public Health Office from Kisauni
8. Canaan Orphanage Project
9. Tunaweza Women with Disability led by Ms Lucy Chesi
10. Community Focus in health Initiative led by Walter from Changamwe
11. and the KCDN Team. 

We were happy to note that the team from Changamwe have started a Waste Recycling Plant with the support of the IRI and great efforts are being made to have the Plant operational to start sorting out the Plastic Menace.
The good thing is, the Market Traders decided on their own that they will be joining the Council every 3rd Saturday of the Month in cleaning the Market and they want Kongowea to be the Model Market in East Africa given that they are also the biggest Market in the East African Region.
Aftermath; Mr. Peter Mbol of KCDN, Richard, Odhiambo- leaving with some water, Sharon and Walter in a CleanKongowea Market
Nyeri had given us the best impact until today when Kongowea recorded the best impact and turnout.
We at the Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign have done our part. The rest is for the people and we are delighted that Coast Women in Development will be playing a key role in this Campaign every Month. I am happy to report that NO ONE was paid to participate and NO ONE was stranded at Kongowea after the Clean-up Campaign.
Our Focal Point for the Month of March will be Kisumu City and Nairobi and already, we are in several discussions that will advance the Clean-up Campaign in those regions.
'Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek'- President Barack Obama of the USA.
A Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50 is possible and achievable.


Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Kenya,
National Coordinator- The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
Tel; 0724 365 557
Blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch

Friends,
We are all set up for the Massive Clean-up Campaign across Kenya tomorrow.
We are inviting all to kindly join in cleaning their immediate neighbourhoods even as we converge at Kongowea Wholesale Market as our Focal Point for February. A Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya is one agenda that we want to achieve as we celebrate our 50 Years of Independence.
We have missed on fighting poverty, disease, illiteracy, adequate shelter for all, water for all and all that. But a Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50 we can achieve as a People united in this Journey of Hope across Kenya.
We are happy with all the teams that have written to us enjoining in the Clean-up Campaign across Kenya, and as for the Kongowea Wholesale Market Clean-up Campaign, we want to appreciate the following Teams for joining in;

1. The Municipal Council of Mombasa
2. the Kongowea Wholesale Market Leaders and Traders
3. the First Step Initiative
4. the Coast Women in Development
5. the Humanist Resource Network

In our last posting we did say that NO ONE will be paid across Kenya to participate. This is a voluntary affair and only those who feel compelled are invited. Again we did say, and I want to repeat, the much talked about 20 Youths from Changamwe who wanted to get paid for their participation are not welcome.
They are free to join in the Clean-up Campaign, but they will NOT be paid for participating.
We are very happy with the many Kenyans who have since joined in the Clean-up Campaigns across Kenya in a voluntary basis. And like we have been saying, let us roll our sleeves and move to the trenches. A Clean Kenya Starts with Me!
We are also happy that at KCDN, we are driving a Campaign that is soon catching fire across the whole country. We are happy that at least we are doing something. We are just not talking and doing nothing. And we are are happy that we have been blessed with the capacity to sensitize and mobilize Kenyans into action. We are investing a great deal in this and we are happy Kenyans are responding with action.
We are looking forward to more groups joining us at Kongowea as from 10am tomorrow.
Note; this is a voluntary service and NO ONE will be paid for participating.
'Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek'- President Barack Obama of the USA.
A Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50 is possible and achievable.


Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Kenya,

Kongowea on Saturday 18th Feb 2012

Friends,
We will be at Kongowea Wholesale Market for this Months edition of The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign on Saturday the 18th Feb 2012 as from 10.00am for a massive Clean-up Campaign that will be led by the traders and the locals.

A Clean Mombasa 

We will be joined by many groups and we have made it clear to all those who will be joining us that this is a voluntary exercise. No one will be paid, and as such, we are not expecting to see the Changamwe Youths around.                                                                                                                                                      

To all our Friends across the Country, please keep the flag flying. Let us roll our sleeves and help make Kenya Clean. It is our responsibility and we all need to rise to the occasion.                                                            

For those who are willing to support this Campaign, you are free to reach out to us for further discussions.    

'Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek'- President Barack Obama of the USA.

A Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50 is possible and achievable.


Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Kenya,
National Coordinator- The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
Tel; 0724 365 557
Blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch

kenya-can] Humanist Resource Network joins in the Clean up

Friends,
Starting a Programme and ensuring that it becomes successful to achieve the objectives for which it is set up has never been an easy affair. Similarly, initiating and managing The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign has not been an easy affair.
But we are encouraged by the way our Concept has been accepted across Kenya and today, we welcome the Humanist Resource Network in Mombasa for indicating that they will be taking part in the Kongowea Wholesale Market Clean-up Campaign on Saturday the 18th February 2012.
In the same vain, we want to sincerely appreciate all the Friends of KCDN who have stepped forward in either way to ensure that The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign succeeds across Kenya. You are our pillar and source of strength.
Our Focal Point for this Month is Mombasa County and in the past two weeks, we have met with the Town Clerk Municipal Council of Mombasa and his Team, the DO 1 Mombasa, the Leaders from Kongowea Wholesale Market and many other willing partners to help plan for the event.
We are happy that our Awareness Campaign and the Consultative Forums have been well attended and participation has been vibrant. This is the Kenya we want, where we all join hands to work for One Kenya as One Family of God and One People.
This is a Programme we are happy with and one for which we will see through.
We are happy with the support we have continued to receive from

1. the People of Kenya,
2. the Public Service Transformation Department
3. the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry of Local Government
4. the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
5. the Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development
6. the various Local Authorities from across Kenya
7. the United Nations Environmental Programme
8. the Provincial Administration
9. Akiba Uhaki Foundation
10. the Nairobi Central Business District Association
11. Kenya Private Sector Alliance
12. the Board of KCDN
13. and the many Partners we have across Kenya and the World- www.kcdnkenya.org.

Working in partnership with all these Institutions and the People of Kenya, we can surely achieve a Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50.
But as for the Kongowea Wholesale Market Clean-up Campaign, we want to thank the following groups who have volunteered their support and participation;

1. The Municipal Council of Mombasa
2. the Kongowea Wholesale Market Leaders and Traders
3. the First Step Initiative
4. the Coast Women in Development
5. the Humanist Resource Network

We are looking forward to more groups joining us at Kongowea.
Note; this is a voluntary service and NO ONE will be paid for participating.
'Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change we seek'- President Barack Obama of the USA.
A Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50 is possible and achievable.


Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Kenya,
National Coordinator- The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
Tel; 0724 365 557
Blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch

The Kongowea Consultative Forum

Friends,
We hosted the Kongowea Consultative Forum with the Kongowea Traders and Leaders at the Town Hall in Mombasa yesterday the 10th Feb 2012.
Group photo immediately after the meeting yesterday at the Town Hall.
The meeting was chaired by Ms Elipida Mwakamba- Deputy Town Clerk- Reforms and was attended by the leaders, Mr. MS Bilafif- Director Environment at the Municipal Council of Mombasa, Dr Swale Chidagaya- MOH at the Municipal Council of Mombasa, Mr. Abdulla Mwabami- Deputy Director- Social Services, Mr Marigi Njihia- Accountant, Mr. Mohamed Abdalla- Market Superintendent, Mr. Peter Mbol and Mr. Odhiambo T Oketch both of KCDN.
Ms Mwakamba, Odhiambo and Mr. Mwabami following the proceedings
We agreed on the following;

1. The Clean up of Kongowea Wholesale Market will be on the 18th February 2012 starting 10.00am. This is to enable early morning shoppers buy their daily perishables.
2. The Clean-up Exercise will hence forth be a Monthly affair undertaken in partnership with the market leaders and traders.
3. Every trader will keep his stall clean at all the times.
4. Working tools will be provided to the Section Leaders within the Market in good time to allow for proper logistics.
5. The Municipal Council of Mombasa will address the issue of Electrity and Toilet, the twin issues that have been of great concern to the traders.
6. There will be no harrassment of the traders as has been happening in the past whenever such an event is organized, though, law and order will be maintained by an active presence of the Council Askaris and Regular Police.
7. The exercise will be voluntary and NO ONE will be paid to participate.
8. There will be pomp and dance as we start a new Transformation Agenda that will spread to the whole of Mombasa Town.

The Kongowea Clean-up Campaign will be led by His Worship the Mayor and the Town Clerk and there will be a follow-up meeting between the Market Leaders and the Market Superintendent to help plan for the rest of the logistics.
During the Consultative Forum, we discussed;

1. Environmental Management issues and the need for all of us to join in keeping not just the market clean, but all our neighbourhoods.
2. Peace Building as a prerequisite to a healthy nation.
3. Good Governance and the need for all of us to rise up and be active participants.

Kongowea Wholesale Market will be our Focal Point for this Months Nationwide Clean-up Campaign and all are invited across the whole country to kindly join in and clean your immediate neighbourhood.

 A Clean, Green and Litter Less Kenya at 50 is possible and achievable.



Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Kenya,
National Coordinator- The Monthly Nationwide Clean-up Campaign
Tel; 0724 365 557
Blog; http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org
Facebook; Monthly Nationwide Clean up Campaign
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch