Youth Lead Environmental Clean-Up Initiative in Laikipia County

Nanyuki, Laikipia County – Over 200 young people came together in Nanyuki town for a three-hour clean-up exercise on Friday, marking the end of the year with a commitment to environmental stewardship. This volunteer activity was part of a broader effort to encourage sustainable waste management practices.

According to Kenya News Agency, the youth in Nanyuki engaged in this clean-up exercise as a gesture towards addressing the growing concern of solid waste management in the county. Nanyuki generates about 20,000 metric tonnes of solid waste per month, posing significant challenges for the local administration in managing plastic waste.

The Laikipia County government has been grappling with these challenges and is actively seeking partnerships with environmental stakeholders. Currently, only 30 percent of plastics are recycled by entrepreneurs and then sold to plastic industries in Nairobi City and other major towns.

During the event, the youth underscored the potential of solid waste as a resource for generating income and tackling unemployment in the county. John Maigwa, CEO of Ng’arisha mtaa, a community-based organization promoting environmental conservation in Laikipia County, emphasized the dual goal of sensitizing youth to the importance of a clean environment and creating opportunities through waste management.

Dickson Maina from the Dedan Kimathi Foundation, which supports environment-led initiatives in Kenya, urged prudent use of plastic materials. He appealed for a focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics to enhance solid waste management efforts.

Chris Thumbi, a representative from the Laikipia County Government, commended the youth for their initiative. He noted that their efforts in conducting the clean-up exercise set a positive example for other areas in the county and beyond.