As part of activities to mark 24th Heroes Day anniversary in Rwanda, Rwanda High Commission to Kenya in partnership with Nairobi City County Government organized and carried out general cleaning exercise “Umuganda.”
The exercise took place around the embassy premises along Limuru road in Gigiri on Saturday morning.
The exercise brought together over 200 participants including officials from Rwanda mission to Kenya, Nairobi County Government Officials, Rwandans living in Nairobi and their friends.
Speaking to reporters during the exercise, the Rwanda High Commissioner to Kenya Ambassador James Kimonyo thanked the Nairobi City County for providing logistical support for the exercise.
He also welcomed the participation of officials from the county together with Rwandan citizens living in Nairobi who turned up for the important call.
“We are happy to continue this national exercise with Rwandans living here in Nairobi but most importantly we have agreed with County Government that this exercise can only be a success if it’s done in partnership with the County Government administration,” said Mr Kimonyo.
While addressing participants after Umuganda, Assistant Director in charge of Environment at the City Government, Mr David Makori who represented the Governor of Nairobi County Honorable Mike Mbuvi Sonko, thanked Rwanda High Commission for organizing the exercise.
“The City Government is ready to work with Rwanda High Commission to make our city clean and more importantly on solid waste management since you have shown to the rest of the world and Africa how it is done,” said Mr Makori at the end of the exercise.
He conveyed a goodwill message from Governor Mike Sonko who was away attending a crucial City Government budget meeting.
“The governor is glad to be associated with the Umuganda cleaning exercise and has committed to working with partners to help bring back Nairobi to its lost glory as a green city in the sun,” he said.
Mr. Makori announced that every month, the City Government will have a theme on the environment and will mobilize the whole Nairobi populace to participate in the joint community cleaning exercise as part of sensitizing Nairobians on environmental management.
There was a drama, not once but twice, when the group killed two snakes as they cleared the garden for flower planting.
“You see how cleaning is important. We have just killed two snakes and that has made the environment here safer,” said Ricardo Banon, a Rwandan living in Nairobi whilst showing a snake he and others just killed during the exercise.
Gigiri is also home to one of the largest forests within the capital city – Karura Forest.
Mr Kimonyo explained that the Umuganda cleaning exercise started in 2004 and has helped Rwanda keep her environment clean.
“Our secret has been in mindset change as a result of strict enforcement practice in our country,” said Amb. Kimonyo who was quick to recall that Rwanda was in the same state as Kenya some 14 years ago and that it is possible for Kenya to be green as well.
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