SPITTING OUT THE RHETORIC REALITY

 On my last article,we decided on not blaming the government for all the wrinkles,if they are too,we should remind ourselves,we voted them to power. " There is more power in the people than the people in power." Exclaims, Fionah Mburu,founder Greener communities. It is true,we have the power to vote in leaders,stop projects affecting us,but we have let them feed us with fear,and this should stop. 

Every project flagged off by the government has both positive and negative effects,but when the latter takes charge,a solution entitled changes to nothing not far from a future national calamity,but we are yet to experience any first-hand,the reason why I think ignorance runs our bloodflow. Waste disposal has been an issue in Nairobi and its outskirts,and I agree we all wanted a solution,but should a present solution feed a future disaster ? The answer should be NO! but what do we do for it to make an impact,acting to making its word count out there. 

The new sewer-line pipes

The new sewerline system will solve most of  our waste management problem,but did you all know that the bigger part of the line passes adjacent to running rivers? If you didn't,then instill the fact in your head. Who decides on some projects,who signs the papers? cause as far as I know,that shouldn't ever take place,but the most unfortunate part is,it already did,on a report posted by National Environment Management Authority ( NEMA) was concluded with filled questionaires,and one Mr Edward Muriuki gave the relevant observation,but the body turn ignorant cause the project still went on. That speaks volumes,that our voices don't sometimes matter,but I would echo,that the problem is us,no one else,just us. Telling the engineer and the contractor to find a Plan B,is never a big deal,but do we really play our part,asking questions? Relevant conservation bodies and human rights,your fight is not only on the economic world,but also,the right to clean environment,and with that I mean taking care of our environment.

Sewer spilling in a river

" It is always a big shame that many trees will have to be cut down,to pave way for the ambitious project just the same scenerio with SGR crossing wildlife territories." stated Dan Otieno,An Environment conservation enthuthiast. It is becoming an puzzle or a quest to spot a lion in the Nirobi national park,but we are yet to accept that fact. So what makes this sewer different? What pains me is that,I can do nothing now,it is already mounted,who was part of the so-stated public participation? cause,sorry to state,was illiterate,blind and foolish,how could they not see the future of the project is just problems.which I doubt they organised one,not even one person asked apart from Edward whose only observation was recorded on the report,to flower the destructive projects with deception. 

Joannah Stutchbury fighting for Kiambu Forest

Some indeginous trees at the Karura forest were cut down to pave way for the sewer line,if this is the path of the forest and nature follows,then Wangari Maathai's and the likes of Joannah Stutchbury's fight will be nothing but a fairytale to tell our kids and grandchildren. Our voices need to be heard,we need to speak out,we need to act,cause all I think the future holds is a fantasy. Let us all spit out the RHETORIC REALITY that has fed our hopes with fear and lies. 

A mapped section of the sewer-line passing adjacent to rivers

by Alexander Kiruga M 

WHO IS TO BE BLAMED ??

Who is to be blamed for not attaining the 10% forest cover we were to achieve by this 2022 ?

 It has always been a favourite song for conservationist ," road to recovering forest cover " but what is dragging all the efforts drawn towards this constructive goal. I believe you've been to a tree planting event or several,or maybe you've hosted one,but the question is still ringing in our minds with no one to answer but ourselves. Why are we not attaining our targeted reforestation? even though day in day out we are organising campaigns and events involving tree planting. 

A conservation enthuthiast planting trees

We've all been fighting for what we acknowledge as our forest ,our pride. Environmentalist joined in one accord to stop the National Parliament from deleting CLAUSE 34(2) in the 2016 ACT in the Conservation ammendment Bill 2021 . The ammendement would certainly weaken the KENYA FOREST SERVICE which is the body mandated to protect all public forest cover in Kenya. Such issues are what have resulted to us not attaining the targeted 10% forest cover by 2022 from 7.4%. They stated that this would be a door opening to allocate private ordains for development, a move that would be not far from a future calamity.

We are left with one problem to solve,not our politician,our organisations, government bodies but our own responsibility . My question is,in all the trees you plant who follows up on their growth progress,depending on our current kind of climate which is unpredictable,actually is a problem due to afforestion,though this is a topic for another day. We plant,pray and leave them under the able hands of the Almighty,funny indeed how we celebrate covering a large part of the country by organising the tree planting campaigns all over,but never take our time to rearrange our ideas of refforestation as not how far you can plant but how long can you witness growth of a goal. 

On the 11th December 2021, I personally took part in forest reclaiming activity,ie, Kiambu Forest in honor of slain conservation heroin Joannah Stutchbury, Who died protecting the forest,having been shot at the entrance of the forest. The Cabinet secretary of Environment and Forestry Hon.Keriako Tobiko,was the chief guest and promised to help reclaim the grabbed part of the forest and plant trees all over, over 100 trees were planted that day. On 28th May 2022, I revisited the place,and even carried along friends with the urge to enjoy the view of growth of the planted trees,to my surprise and dissapointment,all the trees dried up,and the land is back nothing much but a maize plantation. I am glad I am even safe,cause very ferosious dogs were unchained to keep us out of the place immediately they realised we were around. 

A view of THE FOREST in Kiriita

The problem is always us,when we accept to do follow-ups,we will go miles in terms of reafforestation. Remember,forests protect our water towers,they prevent soil erosion and landslides, not forgetting they provide shade and also are source of fruits and home for our wildlife,one way we can also eradicate human-wildlife conflict,and also some are a tourist destination,like THE FOREST in Kiriita . I never leave the famous heroin Wangari Maathai's words , " Nature will destroy you before you destroy it." 

by Alexander Kiruga .M 

FIGHTING WATER POLLUTION

 FIGHTING WATER POLLUTION

 

Contaminated water is a major threat among communities throughout Africa. Every hour, an estimated 115 people die in Africa from diseases linked to improper hygiene, poor sanitation, and contaminated water, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

What causes Water pollution in Africa?

How can we end water pollution?

Mining being an economic activity, in most African countries, demonstrates a ransom of challenges; Salt and mineral content from mining is often found in large amounts in the continent’s water which has a direct effect on the water’s pH levels. Companies involved in mining have often been criticized but to a deaf ear. Deforestation is another cause, it affects wildlife, climate change, and the climate as a whole. It also causes soil erosion, forcing more soil into water bodies, rivers and lakes, and this has a negative impact on humans, plants and animals who rely on these water sources, that end up  consuming water that is unfit for drinking.

 The use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, causes draining of these chemicals into the water bodies especially when it rains, leading to eutrophication, further contributing to water contamination on our water bodies.

 Many families have to walk for miles to access clean drinking water. Younger girls often have to drop out of school and miss out on getting an education to help their families, as seen in most Northern part of Kenya. Water scarcity, which has been brought about my climate change, deforestation, a cause of water pollution, is becoming now a disaster for the future generation.

The fact that NGOs have been joining hands to help clean up some rivers, is a sign that maintain clean environment is each and everyone’s responsibility. Remember water pollution can cause, poisoning and mortality, diseases such as cholera are spread through water contamination.  Now we are not just preventing pollution of rivers, it has already happened, it is time to treat this disease. The main responsibility of the government in this fight is providing resources used for clean up ,not forgetting that the setting up water treatment areas is a high score for this fight. Article 42 of the new constitution, which states: Every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment.

Wining this fight is everyone’s goal, a fight that Legendary Prof Wangari Mathai flagged off, A fight that Dr Paula Kahumbu took over, A fight that young people took over, like Fionah Njeri, Miss Environment Africa Nazarene University and the young 11year old  Ellyanne who has managed to plant more 1million trees.

It is our fight, It will be our win, I t will be our celebration.

 

by ALEXANDER’S MINDKE.

alexanderkiruga01@gmail.com

+254 745 305656 /  +254 794 642755

 

TRUE LIFE

 Hiding behind a bold face,is a pale heart.

The leaves grow weary,and so does hope. Behind the walls, lust and hate ventures. The glowing rays of winning fading away. Light to dark is the current lifestyle. Across the streets,call them the walking dead. Innocent faces, but guilty souls. The hands are like the chameleon on a leaf. His fate is pinned to the mystery under his mask.  The letters sealed with his blood. His story will just be a fable told to the richkids,to make them sleep. His past is an open book,and a bitter truth to feed his future. He writes to keep his smile alive,but his pen is now out of ink. When you see his pale face,don't fear him, he is living his true life.

©Alexander'sMindKE

THE AFRICAN TORCH

 She hopes to be understood by her own. But in return she receives a blow fist.Her world turned to dark,she only hopes that the moon will light her path. Her heart races for survival, her Mind caged in thoughts of suicidal,but a barrel of future dreams holds her head high.She  turned deaf to all the music from her rear life. She fences her heart with hopes of healing the world,she thirst for a gratitude,and hunger for love. The spots on her face reminds her of the hope she never lost.She trips and on the path where she lifts her relief. The African woman holds it High.She remains to be the African torch! 

MADE OF ROCK

 Behind the door stood a pot,the flowers on the pot were shedding the petals. Why is everything changing? A confused heart would ask.The favourite music, turned into something worse than a lamentation.They seed grew,who watered it with anger?The shoulders I leaned on, had thorns. I have a heart which bleed and never heals.I have a tongue which reads and never lead.The world around me is growing thinner and weaker. Life is turning to an ultimate challenge,a puzzle,that only the strong can solve.Behind the walls,is a city made of blades. A reminder, Our hearts are made of  rock.

I GIVE IN

 How I wish everyday is a dream, a dream that never comes true.The hunting dogs are hunting me,the haunting demons are haunting me,and the world's thomas are doubting me.The birds grew tired of singing the sweet memories ,and the crickets are no longer holding their midnight meetings. The woods around me are growing thicker, and the lights fading away.Am drowning in loneliness and suffocating from the bitter reality.Am holding on to a dry leaf, feeding on a poisonous stem, and trusting the rotten roots.On my back is a  load of desires of a dreaming man.Am wrapped in shallow hopes,but my Mind caged in the desires of the heart.They switched off, all the lights and broke all the bridges,Am left wondering around, thirsty and weary. The wild is my home,and alone is my family, I give in!