Urban October.
On this World Cities Day, ETCO, in collaboration with the Nairobi Rivers Commission, engaged with communities living along Nairobi Rivers to discuss environmental concerns and how to maintain the cleanliness of all Nairobi rivers. The event, themed "Let The Rivers Flow," took place at Pumwani Social Hall.
The discussion was fruitful and attended by notable figures such as His Excellency Germany Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Sebastian Groth, UN Habitat Representatives, Nairobi Rivers Commission Assistant Chair, and other organizations dedicated to river cleanup in Nairobi. The Ambassador expressed a keen interest in supporting cleanup initiatives, emphasizing that any assistance provided should directly benefit the local communities. He urged community leaders to ensure this commitment is upheld and donated essential cleanup tools like wheelbarrows, rakes, spades, and gloves.
The Assistant Chair of the Nairobi Rivers Commission outlined the action plan, highlighting thematic areas and providing a clear guideline for the cleanup efforts.
ETCO's CEO, Mr. Collince Onyango, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the NRC and UN Habitat in involving community members and offering technical, financial, and goodwill support. He encouraged all present groups, organizations, and individuals to collaborate in cleaning the rivers. Mr. Onyango also announced ETCO's readiness to launch the first Nairobi Dam Tributaries cleanup program on November 10th 2023, inviting everyone to participate and explore potential partnerships. He acknowledged the support of their main sponsors, EcoWB and Power Engineers, who are actively working on designs for sustainable river restoration in Nairobi Dam.
#LetTheRiversFlow
Today, the Nairobi Rivers Commission, under the leadership of Chairperson Dr. Pamela Olet, along with Commissioners Dr. Duncan Ojwang and Grace Messoppir, embarked on an extensive tour of Nairobi Dam and its key tributaries to address the escalating waste pollution crisis. Joined by the Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (SMEDI), CEO of ETCO - Collince Onyango, community leaders, and representatives from the Ngong River Regeneration Network, the team assessed the severe impact of waste along critical points, including Area 51 - Sarang'ombe Bridge, Soweto West Bridge, Kibera South Hospital Bridge, and Nairobi Dam itself.
ETCO's continued children feeding program remains a beacon of hope for the community, providing nutritious meals to those in need every Saturday. Today, we served Githeri, a traditional Kenyan dish made from a delightful combination of maize and beans. This nutritious meal is not only enjoyed by the children but also by the youth and elderly who participate in our program. The smiles on their faces as they savor the food remind us of the impact we are making in their lives.
Another learning experience to engage with the community in Mathare and the River Line communities. Event filled with events and transfer of knowledge and information.