Voices of Youth: Unsightly landscapes of uncollected waste By Kwach Abonyo

Voices of Youth is a segment amplifying the lived experiences of young people with climate-related events. It is a vital space for youth to share their firsthand observations of environmental changes, the impact on their communities, and their aspirations for sustainable solutions. Their narrations highlight the urgency for decisive action from authorities, advocating for policies and initiatives that address the climate crisis and safeguard their future.

As I struggle to find my way through the mounds of waste in the Kawangware slums, I must also keep an eye on a group of young men sitting idly across this unsightly landscape. It’s not that they are bad, but this place is notorious for crime and theft. Just a year ago, a young man lost his life here, a victim of gang violence. The memory of that tragedy, along with other crime-related incidents, is a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk here. 

This place is not a sight to behold, because we have allowed the waste to accumulate to this much. Sometimes back this very spot was a clean, airy pathway. Now it reeks of decay, a breeding ground for stray dogs and disease. 

But then I have myself wondering: are we responsible for the environmental negligence and the resulting ugliness we see around us? I’ve taken it upon myself to understand why we allow such issues to persist, especially when waste management and overall cleanliness seem to be common-sense responsibilities. Even if we argue that the problem of waste management is something we inherited, much like poverty and illiteracy, I still fail to comprehend why we find it so difficult to take responsibility for something as straightforward as taking care of the waste we generate.  

Perhaps I am being too mean and unrealistic in my judgment, but I believe most of the environmental problems we face are of our own making. Haven’t we even established policies and created structures to address these issues?

In 2022, shortly after taking office, Governor Sakaja announced plans to issue a green bond to fund a mass transit system to improve waste management and upgrade water infrastructure in Nairobi. A key part of this plan was to use the bond money to tackle Nairobi’s ongoing garbage issue by converting waste into energy, improving waste collection, and creating jobs. However, these promises have largely not been fulfilled, and the waste problem remains severe. In Kawangware slums, residents have repeatedly raised concerns about waste issues, including a demonstration a year ago demanding action on illegal dumpsites used by criminal gangs. In October 2022, a cholera outbreak in Nairobi was linked to poor sanitation. Despite complaints raised to concerned authorities,  no effective measures have been taken to address these issues.

Our lackluster approach towards environmental management could be because we haven’t taken the time to understand its value. Have we considered how much positive change we could create in our country by focusing more on improving our environment?  A 2020 report issued by Urban Africa Waste Knowledge stated that poor waste management is a public health risk in Kenya. Another study from 2014 revealed that poor sanitation costs the country nearly Ksh. 27 billion each year. Current reports if consulted will definitely yield similar results and a lot more.

I believe that focusing on a cleaner environment could significantly address many of our problems. Take the Korogocho slum as an example; a community group called Komb Green Solution transformed a dangerous dumpsite into a recreational park. This site, which was once a hotspot for crime and disease, is now a playground and has seen improvements in air quality and biodiversity. We shouldn’t leave such efforts solely to non-profit groups when we have official agencies meant to handle these issues.

And of course, behaviour change in the way we manage waste generated is urgently needed.

About me

I am a Nairobi-based teacher, passionate writer, and prospective author. You can call me a youth rights activist.

Additionally, I run a Community-Based Organization – Substance Abusers, Depressed, and Underprivileged – Community – SADU-Community which I founded in 2023 to address mental health and addiction among the youth in Kawangware, Nairobi. (Formalisation in progress).

As a reformed addict and mental illness survivor, I felt compelled to make a difference. My primary focus is to create mental health awareness, educate youths on the dangers of drugs, and uplift those from underprivileged communities, as a long-term goal.

I have partnered with some colleagues who are teachers to offer free tuition to young students who cannot afford school fees, and other initiatives whose plans are underway including working with Lyma Media on climate literacy and eco-prenuership.