Environmental anarchy in our society. Apathy towards our environment, mismanagement of waste, poor or non implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations by relevant authorities are more detrimental to Kenyans than climate change.
On any one day, somewhere in Kenya, an environmental disaster happens.
Somebody has been electrocuted by exposed live wires,
a child has fallen into an open pit or from an ill secured balcony in an apartment building
, construction workers or tenants have fallen from a collapsing building, mine or quarry walls have caved in on workers, killer roads and other good developments that are completely insensitive to the needs and well being of the human beings whose lives they are meant to improve,
not to mention the invisible and incessant air, water, soil and noise pollution as well as garbage.
These injustices happen right under the eyes of relevant authorities, although " a clean, healthy and sustainable environment" is a universal human right according to the UN General Assembly, and article 42 of our constitution. We continue to suffer all manner of physical and mental health with many deaths happening.
As we address global issues, let us look at what is daily, causing unnecessary morbidity and mortality in our society. Let each of us practice Responsible Environmental Behavior (REB). Let us take into consideration the well-being of the consumers of every development project we undertake.
Society, too, should play their role when they are called for public participation. Let us hold developers accountable and not allow them to expose us to risks with their badly finished projects. Let us manage our own waste, too. According to Article 69 of our constitution, we are obligated to do our best to make our environment clean, healthy, safe, and secure. Environmental hazards are causing us too much grief to wish away.
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