WHAT A WASTE!

Image courtesy of Nation. 

 What would a pollution free world look like? This has been a question I ask myself but to no avail do I get answers.

Its a sunday morning, as usual, I wake up early in order to make breakfast for my family. Today, am making beef Samosas, vegetable Samosas and spiced tea. I blanch my green peas and my carrots and potatoes follows. To cut it short, I do that so as they dont undercook or overcook, thats all for the fillings.

I knead my dough, one I will use to make Mandas/pockets for my Samosas. I deep my Samosas in cooking oil and I watch them turn golden as I am in a fantasy world. Yes, this happens to me alot. Cooking is the best time i reconnect with myself and also the best time I can think critically. I know that sounds wierd but yes! Thats just me!

Breakfast is ready to serve. I lay the dinning and we get set to have this delicious creation I made. After a very sweet time, I lay prostrate on my bed, breathing heavily as a result of overfeeding. A thought strikes me, and I stare blankly on the ceiling smilling innocently with the view of the ocean and white sandy beach at the back of my head. Yes! Beaching it is.

I take a nap, and spring out of bed humming to my fav Beyoncé’s, ‘brown skin girl, her skin just like pearl, the best inthe worl, I’ll never trade you for anybody else………‘ I refresh and get ready to embrace our beautiful scenery. I look so sassy in my white sunny hat, sunglasses and glaring red lipstick. Trust you me, I looked like a goddess ready to take the runway showcasing cute swim suits.

Here at the coast, we are used to Tuktuks, its even a culture. Instead of calling an Uber, tuktuks are everywhere and easily available. No apps needed, no waiting and stuffs, just you and your bargained fare. So I hop into one and my beach safari starts.

As I approach beach road, past VOK, there is a foul smell that strikes my nose then disappears. It irritates me and I’m left wondering if that could be a carcass by the road side or rotten food or even sewerage. I start gazing and scanning the environment just incase I spot where the smell is exactly coming from.to my utter surprise,I see a small hill made of all sorts of litter;plastic bags,plastic bottles,food waste,clothes and any other thing that constitutes of waste. This saddens my face.

The other side of the road are residence area. Questions puzzle my head, many questions that cant get answers I want to hear. I feel grief for all those who leave by the roadside, those who are used to this foul smell in their daily lives. Those who have to pass through this garbbage hill daily on their way to and from work. I pity those kids whose lives are exposed to health hazards imposed by this dumpsite.

Can’t we do anything to better the situation? A solution to get rid of this waste?, A place away from people’s settlements where the litter can be disposed?

Have we, as a community thought of the health conditions the residents are exposed to? Have we thought of the infectious diseases those who reside by this dump site are vulnerable to?Have we  thought of any of these and many others? Have we though of how the place would be without the litter all over?

Is the government aware of whatever that is going on around that place? Is the city council aware that the dump site poses as a great disaster to the environment? And if at all it does, what measures are put to place to stop this menace? What laws are enforced to ensure there is no more littering and dumping of waste in that area? Don’t we have NEMA and other bodies that can intervene?

The government should see to it that the drainage and sewerage around Mombasa is fixed, this is to minimize instances where stagnant water and sewer lies all over the city. Individuals should be aware of proper waste management. This includes, littering of dry waste together, this will make combustion of the waste easy. A pit can be dug for wet waste;food and others. These should be biodegradable so as they can decompose. Plastic bottles and cans can be recycled if still in good condition. CBO’s should also deploy DIY workshops where they conduct forums to create awareness and educate the public on proper waste management and importance of a clean environment.

Its our duty as a community to ensure the environment we live in is pollution free. We have measures we can practice solely to see that we leave in a clean environment.

I get to the beach, as I find a comfortable place where I can sit, I fantasize of a green environment, with trees and lawn grass. With kids playing around looking healthy. Clean air as sun rays peep through the tree branches hitting the ground. I dream and visualize of a clean, friendly and happy environment. All this can be achieved, it all starts with you.