Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja took a bold, hands-on approach to improving the city’s cleanliness by personally leading an extensive cleanup exercise in the Central Business District (CBD) on the night of January 13, 2025. The initiative, which continued into the early hours of Monday, saw more than 3,500 members of the Green Army, under the Department of Environment, working tirelessly to restore the capital’s main streets and highways.
Accompanied by top county executives, Sakaja emphasized the need for everyone to take responsibility for the city’s cleanliness, framing it as a duty that transcends mere employment. “Let’s do this job with the seriousness it deserves. Let’s do it as if we’re doing it for God, not just because we’re being paid. We have no option. Nairobi must be clean this year. Let’s do this,” he urged the team as they worked under the glow of streetlights.
The clean-up operation covered every corner of Nairobi’s busy streets, with teams sweeping, collecting trash, and ensuring the CBD looked its best. This effort marked the beginning of a larger strategy to improve urban cleanliness across Nairobi, with the Governor pledging that such exercises would become a regular feature in the city’s transformation.
“This is not just about today but about creating a culture of cleanliness and pride in our city,” Sakaja declared, stressing that long-term efforts were needed to foster pride in the city. Just days earlier, Sakaja had flagged off 24 new refuse compactors as part of Nairobi’s enhanced waste management strategy. These vehicles are set to play a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness efforts initiated by the Governor.
Governor Sakaja also praised the dedication of the Green Army members, acknowledging their efforts and calling on them to maintain their momentum in making Nairobi a model city of cleanliness. “These 24 trucks must be put to good use to make our city clean. We have no other excuse but to work,” he said, underscoring that the journey to a cleaner Nairobi had only just begun.
