On the occasion of World Water Day 2017, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, in collaboration with UN Environment, participated in the clean-up of Lake Naivasha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The clean-up, organized by Clean-Up Kenya, a Nairobi based group, drawing the participation of 157 volunteers, mobilized mostly from the networks of the three organizations, including the Youth Forum of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO. The initiative had a two-fold objective, namely; a call to action to save Lake Naivasha’s ecosystem, and sensitizing Naivasha residents in particular, and Kenyans in general, on the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment. This was the fourth major cleanup campaign organized by Clean-Up Kenya, the first three being in Githogoro (1^st may 2016), Limuru (9^th July 2016) and Kilifi (22^nd October 2016).

The cleanup at Lake Naivasha took place at five official sites, namely; Kenyatta Avenue, Nakuru-Nairobi Road, Karagita, Karagita public beach and Kamere. Over 3 tons of litter ranging from plastics, glasses, clothes, rubber and papers, were picked at the sites, highlighting the growing problem of marine litter. The litter was sorted on site, with about 70% taken to Karagita Community Cooker where the litter will be used as fuel.

In his remarks, Mr. Kiogora Murithi, Director of Environment at Nakuru County, encouraged more such collaborations in the future involving citizens, communities, governments civil society, and other stakeholders, including international organizations. In addressing the challenges of waste management in general, and in particular, protection of common heritages such as lakes, rivers, oceans Mr. Murithi noted that “as a county we also support the ban by the National Government on the use of plastic,”.

Representatives of UNESCO and UN Environment supported the initiative, stressing the need to “keep Kenya clean and clear” and promoting environmental awareness needed to keep the conservation going and mindful of the need to recycle materials.

UNESCO puts emphasis on the importance of freshwater as a resource for mankind, cross-cutting all social, economic and environmental activities. It is a condition for all life on our planet, an enabling or limiting factor for any social and technological development, a possible source of welfare or misery, cooperation or conflict.

For pictures of the event, click the following link: https://goo.gl/photos/HmmaCNmPwnFtwfLE6