Kisumu City Manager, Abala M Wanga, has appealed to the residents of Kisumu to take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of their city. During a routine city cleaning exercise on Friday, Wanga emphasized that the local government conducts regular checks to ensure that the city’s parks and streets are well-maintained.
Wanga revealed that there have been public complaints about mismanagement in some of the city’s parks, particularly those under private management. He stressed the importance of restoring the aesthetic value of these parks, with plans to plant more flowers and trees. Wanga stated that the city has delegated park management to private entities but insisted on consistent oversight.
“Every Friday, we go around checking the cleanliness of the city. We’ve received complaints about waste management and park conditions, so we’re now working on improving them. We’ve entrusted some parks to private owners, but we must supervise their management. We’ve found damaged cabros and interfered grass and flowers, so we’re focusing on raising standards,” Wanga said.
One such park under scrutiny is Oile Park, which Wanga pointed out as falling short of the standards set by Jamhuri Gardens, a park that has been consistently well-maintained. He added that the city has installed nearly 200 dustbins to encourage proper waste disposal and urged residents to use them responsibly. Wanga specifically highlighted Uhuru Highway, Oginga Odinga, and Ang’awa streets as areas that need constant cleanliness.
“We’ve partnered with businesses to help keep local markets and surrounding areas, like Chichwa, clean. We want every corner of the city to be clean, and we need residents’ support,” he said.
John Sande, an environmental officer in the city, also shared his perspective, noting that the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground, also known as Aguch Kisumo, is a key cultural and business hub in the city. He explained that efforts are underway to revamp the city’s parks and streets to enhance their beauty and functionality.
“The cleanliness of Kisumu is a point of pride for its residents. As the third-cleanest city in Africa, we aim to become number one. We need everyone’s cooperation to maintain and improve the city’s parks and streets,” Sande stated.
The city management urged Kisumu residents to report any damage to public property such as flowers, trees, or cabros, emphasizing that county reinforcement officers will ensure the protection of these areas. Under Wanga’s leadership, the city has undergone significant facelift projects, earning it the nickname ‘Kisumu Yurop’ due to its transformation.
