Kiambu, Kenya—The Department of Environment and Waste Management in Kiambu County, led by Governor Kimani Wamatangi, and residents of Ruiru executed this month's cleanup exercise throughout the Sub-County.

According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke during the operation, the initiative aims to combat pollution and litter while emphasizing education about waste management, particularly among the youth.

"We want to give Ruiru people a conducive environment to live and work in and at the same time train them to take environmental conservation seriously as a personal responsibility," said the governor. He also introduced an initiative named 'My Environment My Responsibility.' Wamatangi highlighted the human contribution to changes in weather patterns and global warming, urging for collective responsibility to mitigate these issues. He further invited other institutions and corporate entities within Ruiru to join the effort.

The cleanup program involved multiple activities including garbage collection, unclogging of drainages, and the sweeping and cleaning of roads and marketplaces. It also included clearing of bushes and planting of grass, flowers, and trees along the streets and in recreational parks. Esther Njambi, a resident of Ruiru, expressed her enthusiasm about the governor's involvement and the overall community participation. She urged the county government to provide dustbins for waste collection to further improve the area's cleanliness.

The exercise is part of a larger effort initiated earlier this year by Governor Wamatangi to ensure all Kiambu Sub-counties remain clean. This initiative is a collaborative project involving county staff, the private sector, and the local communities.