Mathare's Community-Led Clean-Up: Making a Difference

By Brenda Ooko

Mathare settlement faces several challenges, including blocked sewer lines, poor drainage systems, inadequate sanitation services, and ineffective solid waste management. Its proximity to the Mathare River makes it highly vulnerable to floods, especially for houses constructed along the riverbanks, which are at risk of being washed away during El Niño events. Additionally, the hilly terrain of Mathare Valley increases the likelihood of landslides and mudslides, posing threats to lives, property, and public health.

To commemorate World Cleanup Day on September 15, 2023, various organizations, including SDI-Kenya, Muungano wa Wanavijiji, Red Cross, and other stakeholders working within Mathare, joined hands with community members at Mathare River to clear blocked waterways. The river, along with the surrounding area, had become a dumping ground for waste. Most waste pickers and residents discarded plastics, sacks, polythene bags, food waste, and clothes into the river, obstructing its natural flow. This accumulation of waste not only leads to overflow during heavy rains but also makes the river water unsafe for the community, increasing the risk of diseases like cholera, bilharzia, and typhoid, particularly during floods.

Mathare community members cleaning Mathare River on World Cleanup Day, September 15, 2023, at the 'Kaa Rada na El Nino' event.

Photo Courtsey: KYCTV

Remarkably, the community, comprising both young and old members, turned out in large numbers, demonstrating their commitment to leading the efforts in finding solutions to the challenges they face in the settlement. Even women, who often bear the brunt of climate change crises like El Niño, actively participated despite limited access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment. They improvised tools, such as makeshift poles, to assist in the cleanup efforts.

The County government and the ward administrator were present and deeply impressed by the community's active involvement. They pledged ongoing support for cleanup initiatives and encouraged community members to apply for county cleaning jobs when advertised. They also promised to collaborate closely with local youth engaged in waste collection to develop effective waste management solutions for the settlement.

The cleanup exercise aimed not only to create awareness but also to caution those living in high-risk areas to relocate to safer places before the onset of the rainy season, under the campaign theme 'KAA RADA NA EL NINO.' It sought to sensitize the community about river pollution, illegal solid waste dumping, and the associated consequences. The goal was to encourage a change in behavior and attitude toward environmental protection, emphasizing the slogan "MAZINGIRA YETU, JUKUMU LETU" (Our Environment, Our Responsibility).

This initiative aligns with SDI-Kenya and Mungaano community led project of River Adoption and Ecosystem Restoration in Mathare, which aims to upgrade and build resilient infrastructure to withstand natural disasters. Through flood risk mapping and house address identification, proactive planning for future natural calamities becomes possible. Thus, continued collaboration among all stakeholders is essential in finding lasting solutions to managing floods and addressing other climate change-related challenges.