Mombasa youths must be county ambassadors of keeping the city clean

By Tobby Otum

The responsibility of waste management is entirely the responsibility of the local community and not of the county government.

Mombasa Deputy governor Francis Thoya said waste management belongs to the local community and refuted claims it is the work of the county government.

He added for the past three months when they took over the county administration they have tried to keep the city clean.

Thoya said Mombasa city looks remarkably clean compared to what it was before they took over county leadership.

“The cleaning exercise at the coastal city has come at a heavy cost as some members of the community have declined to change their mindset,” he pointed out.

He was speaking during the launch of the finalist phase of the Mombasa Plastics Prize at the Swahili pot hub amphitheatre in Mombasa county. The Prize, which is backed by USAID and the Government of Canada, is run by Challenge Works and aims to inspire young innovators to tackle marine plastic waste within the county.

The Mombasa Deputy governor urged county residents to change their mindset about the cleaning of the city and walk the talk.

Thoya, who doubles up as the county executive in charge of the environment, urged the county residents not to allow waste to be dumped in front of their houses.

He reminded the forum when the city is dirty the blame falls on the local community, not on the    Mombasa County Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir.

“Get your facts right and do not assume that the blame is on the governor,” he pointed out.

On her part, Aurelia Micko, Director of USAID Kenya & East Africa Environment Office told journalists they are proud to be part and parcel of the program.

She told journalists they will also engage the government on environmental and conservation issues.     

“The plastic challenge is the first forum to engage in,” she pointed out.

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