The Litter of the Law

Our first visit to Kenya - how exciting.  A whirlwind of activity based around Nairobi and Mombasa, it's the forerunner of many future visits and our first impressions are excellent.

Our biggest Wow moments, though, have been reserved for the astonishing cleanliness of the streets in Nairobi.  I'll qualify this by saying we travelled from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the uptown hotel / government district, then spent hours walking through the adjacent streets, strolled through Uhuru park, walked downtown to the famous Thorn Tree Cafe (at the Stanley Hotel, playground of Earnest Hemingway and the first 'post office' in Kenya), and up a rather long hill to the National Museum and through the streets around the University.  

By no means was this an exhaustive (although it was an exhausting hike!) inspection of the city, and we were told by many about the filthy downtown areas we didn't see on our travels.  So bear in mind there is a substantial portion of the city which, by all reports, better resembles the African inner city slums we were expecting.  We just didn't see it.

Lunchtime street in Nairobi

What we did see were spotless public parks, well utilised at lunchtime and after work for picnics, strolls, get togethers and just plain relaxation.

Without a single piece of litter, anywhere.

Plentiful dustbins on the city pavements, many of which are recyclers, and properly used as such.

Street recycler, Nairobi

Just after 18h30, rush hour traffic.  

Close up of the pavement RHS of rush hour traffic

Solar powered recycling bins at both international airports in Nairobi and Mombasa.

Clean, litter free streets.

We were so boggle-eyed over this I snapped away at bins, pavements and rush hour streets, having decided that no one at home would believe us and only 
photographic proof would do.

Eventually, it all got too much for me and I couldn't hold back any longer, interrogating our driver who'd stopped the taxi and watched in amazement as I photographed one of the solar recycling bins at JKIA.

Years ago, Nairobi was a littered, rubbish strewn slum.  Businesses in town closed and moved out.  Tourists stayed away. 
Then city residents, business owners and landlords got together with government and took action.

Solar powered recycling bin at JKIA

Now, if you drop a piece of litter in public you risk instant arrest from one of the many PLAIN CLOTHED policemen and women who patrol unnoticed.  After a night or two in jail you'll appear in front of a judge and if you can't pay the substantial fine, you spend a day clearing litter, weeding and otherwise cleaning up public spaces.  Zero tolerance and no shrieking about human rights, either.  

A fun recyling bin at Mombasa's Moi International Airport

No doubt public outrage erupted when this heavy handed approach was first adopted, but several years later, peoples' waste disposal habits have changed to suit the law.  The streets and parks are clean, vibrant and utilised spaces.  No one complains and everyone enjoys the pleasant and healthy environment they work, shop and live in.

It is now embarrassing for me to live in Africa's "powerhouse" country.  So developed and rich that millions from across the continent leave their homelands and suffer enormously to be here in South Africa.  We demand first world facilities and services and insist we are right up there with Europe and America.  Except, of course, in terms of their strict recycling habits and laws. But gosh, we live in Africa and can't be expected to be on their sophisticated level in that regard.

Helloooo - if Kenya can, so can we.  Look at the photographs and blush.  Proof that business, residents and government can insist on doing the right thing for all.  Make the hard decisions, stick to your guns  and ignore the complaints.  Force people to obey the law, change their ways and live in a cleaner environment.

This isn't just about a group of bunny huggers being a pain in the you-know-what.  It offers enormous benefits to YOU in terms of health, cleanliness, and a pleasant environment in which people school, live, conduct business and visit.

So how can we bring this lesson from Kenya home to our town?

Even the park benches inspire...