Serikali inafaa itengeneze sheria kali” (The government should create strict laws). This is the rallying cry for a new approach to environmental conservation in Kenya. A recent discussion highlights that for waste management to be effective, we need a combination of rigorous enforcement and a fundamental shift in how citizens handle their trash.
The Policy Shift: Sorting and Regulation
The foundation of clean towns starts with sorting at the source. The message is clear: citizens must utilize the different colored bins provided, ensuring waste is separated before it ever leaves the curb. However, the government has a role to play beyond providing bins; they must implement strict laws for those who generate and dispose of waste negligently. Furthermore, the state is urged to register and approve only specific, capable companies to manage this waste, ensuring professionalism in the sector.
The Looming E-Waste Crisis
A major area of concern is the ticking time bomb of electronic waste (e-waste). As the adoption of technology grows, items like solar panels and batteries—ranging from car batteries to simple torch batteries—are set to become major waste streams in just a few years. Current initiatives are targeting companies to help them build a culture of conservation now, before this waste becomes unmanageable.
Nature is Personal Property
The discussion calls for a psychological shift among Kenyans. We must stop viewing the environment and wildlife as “government property.” Instead, we should view them as our own personal responsibility and inheritance for future clans.
Why It Matters: Health and Wealth
Ultimately, humans coexist with nature, not apart from it. The environment is the source of our livelihoods, our economy (“money”), and our health systems, particularly through medicinal trees. Every small action counts—whether it is planting a tree to secure the climate for the next generation or simply picking up a piece of paper.
