Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Aden Duale has come out to elaborate his comments on informal settlement which sparked uproar from sections of Kenyans online.
The CS made headlines following his sentiments on the sidelines of the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he claimed that the middle class are the greatest polluters of rivers in Nairobi.
While blaming the middle class, Duale noted that the informal settlers do not pollute the Nairobi River as they eat everything.
“Informal settlers are not the ones polluting the Nairobi River. It is the middle class who pollutes it because they have garbage. Those in the informal settlements don’t have garbage because they eat everything,” Duale stated at the sidelines of the summit.
Duale’s comments attracted backlash from a section of Kenyans who argued that the CS had belittled Kenyans living in informal settlements by saying that they eat everything.
Others argued that Duale’s sentiments were aimed at creating class segregation in the country.
Defends the comments
However, in a separate statement on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Duale indicated that his comments are based on recent data which indicate that informal settlements contribute partly 1 per cent to the pollution of the rivers.
However, Duale noted that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had identified over 145 firms which are the major polluters.
In his statement, Duale indicated that the companies are expected to clean up the rivers or face closure.
“Over the years, informal settlements have been blamed for polluting the rivers in Nairobi due to their close proximity.
“New information has emerged that informal settlements contribute partly 1 per cent to the pollution of the Rivers, the major culprits are the 145 industries, slaughterhouses and Sewerage systems and real estate without functioning ETPs (effluent treatment Plant) which contribute 90 per cent of pollution of our Rivers,” Duale’s statement read in part.
“NEMA has mapped out all these non-compliant facilities, given them restoration orders and all are candidates for closure until they fully comply,” he added.
1. The National Sustainable Waste Management Act 2022 requires households to separate their waste. Households receive three color-coded bags: green for organic waste, blue for dry recyclables and red for hazardous items.
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) November 13, 2024
2. Waste collection trucks pick up these separated items,…
Mwaura defends him
Following the heat, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura defended Duale maintaining that the sentiments were blown out of proportion.
“The comment by Environment CS Aden Duale has been blown out of proportion. What he meant is that Kenyans living in the informal settlements have mastered the art of recycling and re-using waste materials creatively. The govt encourages the middle class and all Kenyans to do the same,” Mwaura stated.
