Experts Call for Stricter Adherence to Waste Management and Conservation Practices

By Virginia Siebella 

Environmental experts and conservation advocates have called on Kenyans to strictly adhere to government waste disposal guidelines, including the segregation of waste into designated bins, as part of broader efforts to combat pollution and climate change.

Speaking during an environmental conservation event held in Athi Kapiti, Mavoko, stakeholders emphasized the urgent need for public awareness, policy enforcement, and community involvement in environmental protection.

James Kitavi from Kiseki Ltd and an e-waste management expert warned that electronic waste remains an overlooked but growing environmental hazard. 

“E-waste doesn’t appear as one of the major polluters, but it is. The government must create more awareness so people understand where obsolete phones, solar panels, and other gadgets end up,” he said.

Kitavi also urged the government to license e-waste handling companies to ensure proper disposal and recycling, noting that many Kenyans are unaware of the environmental risks posed by discarded electronics.

Sylvia Njambi, Charter President of the Rotary Club of Athi Kapiti, stressed the importance of instilling environmental values in families and schools. 

“Planting trees and keeping our surroundings clean should be a family culture. Parents must mold their children, and schools should reinforce these values,” she said. 

Her sentiments were supported by Immediate Past District 9212 Governor Joe Kamau, who was the most senior Rotarian at the event.

Maanzoni Million Tree Planting aims to ensure that the partnership with the Rotary Club results in 1,000 tree seedlings planted. So far, 400 have been planted in Phase One, and 600 were planted during the rainy season in Stage Two, as part of its commitment to environmental restoration.

“The program is aimed at growing an arboretum of endangered and indigenous trees within East Africa,” Njambi added, noting that Athi Kapiti will lead the cause in growing indigenous trees within the area.

Michael Mbiti, Honorary Warden at KWS and former Chairman of the Athi Kapiti Wildlife Conservancies Association, participated by releasing fingerlings into a local dam. 

He linked the rise in human-wildlife conflict in the area to limited public awareness. “Conservation is not just the government’s job. Communities must understand that they too have a role to play,” he said.

CFAO Mobility, which also saw its Managing Director Arvinder Reel attend the event, is committed to ensuring organizations contribute to environmental conservation.

Through CFAO Mobility, the company has funded the Rotary Club of Athi Kapiti to support its efforts aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on environmental protection.

Rawlings Amolo, representing CFAO Kenya, called on organizations to embed environmental conservation into their corporate culture. “Tracking and promoting conservation within institutions can significantly contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change,” he noted.

Abigael Rugendo, another participant, urged Kenyans to protect the environment with passion and urgency. “We all bear the brunt of environmental degradation. It’s our collective duty to act,” she said.

The event also featured birdwatching activities aimed at raising awareness about the declining bird population in Kenya. Participants were educated on the ecological importance of birds and the need to preserve their habitats