-Exercise supported Kenya Red cross, Terra Model Management, Mombasa County’s Department of Environment and Local residents;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Hundreds of Mburukenge residents in Mombasa County’s Island got a reprieve on Monday during the World Environmental day after the main organizer ‘Leta Franchise” hosted a community clean-up for the residents in line with the World Environment Day to “Beat Plastic Pollution”.
The clean-up had the support of Kenya Red cross, Terra Model Management and Department of Environment Mombasa County whom joined up with ‘Leta Franchise’ group and the community to clean up the unbearable environment surrounding the slums.
Mburukenge sub-location is located in Tudor Constituency, near Technical University of Mombasa and has approximately 1200 households.
‘Leta Franchise’ met with Mzee wa Mtaa, Charles Okoya and the area Chairman of Mburukenge Umoja Youth Group Moses Mkala and its over 20 members who usually collect and sort waste from the ocean and community, to map out the way forward to completely end plastic pollution in the area.
The youth Chairman Mkala said the group has reclaimed a piece of land on the shores of the ocean next to a mangrove plantation which serves as a collection point from which they sale plastic to waste management companies.
“The area also faces a challenge of plastics and sewage that surrounds the community causing health hazards such as cholera, bacterial infection and the area also lacks personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard themselves against contact with sewage and we need more assistances to sort out this menace, “said Mkala.
“Leta Franchise” and ‘Terra’ Model Management donated nine Gum boots, twelve sewage gloves and hundred trash bags as a starting point to help Mburukenge Umoja Youth Group collect plastics and clean their environment safely and avoid diseases.
“Kenya Red Cross team through our innovation program IOM will launch program within the year to teach twenty members of the Mburukenge community how to upscale plastic and increase their income from selling plastics to selling art made by plastics,” Said Mohamed Bahero Innovations Officer Kenya
Red Cross.
“We will liase with Community of Mburukenge and buy plastics at good price. We encourage more People to collect plastics to keep our environment clean and safe.” Said Juma from Vintz Plastics.
Leta Franchise Director Musa Oyoo promised to bring different stakeholders to help and support the community of the area.
“This is just the beginning and we promise to hold your hand and support where possible as we move forward in our fight against Plastic pollution,” Said Oyoo.
ENDS;