The inaugural Mazingira Day celebrations were marked with a call for Kenyans to take greater responsibility for protecting the environment.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale led the commemoration at the Nairobi Arboretum on Thursday, October 10, 2024, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation to ensure a clean and healthy future for the nation.
During the event, CS Duale highlighted the need for collective action in environmental clean-up efforts, urging citizens to play their part in keeping the country free from waste. Leading by example, he participated in the clean-up of the Nairobi River, alongside other government officials and volunteers.
“Under the theme, ‘Our Environment, Our Health, Our Wealth,’ I called on all Kenyans to take responsibility for our surroundings by caring for the environment and avoiding littering. A clean and healthy environment is key to our well-being and prosperity, and together, we can preserve our natural resources for future generations,” CS Duale said in a statement shared on his X account.
He called for clean-up initiatives not only in homes but also on roads, in parks, on beaches, and in other public spaces that require attention.
Several senior government officials were in attendance, including National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) Director General Mamo Mamo, Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko, and Gitonga Mugambi, the Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Forestry. Also present was Aurelia Rono, Principal Secretary in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Mazingira Day, which falls on October 10, replaces Moi Day, a public holiday that had been renamed Huduma Day and later Utamaduni Day before being rebranded in 2023 to focus on environmental conservation. The day now serves as a reminder to all Kenyans of the need to safeguard the environment for future generations, aligning with the government’s efforts to promote sustainable living.
