In a recent controversy surrounding Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has stepped in to clarify and defend Duale’s remarks about waste management in Kenyan informal settlements. The comments, which some Kenyans interpreted as disparaging to low-income communities, have sparked a wave of reactions and debates. Mwaura’s response sheds light on the intended message behind Duale’s speech, delivered at the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the environment minister highlighted the differences in waste management practices across socioeconomic groups in Kenya.
During his speech, Duale pointed to Kenya’s middle class as a primary source of pollution in Nairobi, especially regarding pollution of the Nairobi River. He compared this trend with practices in informal settlements, lauding their innovative and sustainable waste management methods. “Informal settlers are not the ones polluting the Nairobi River,” Duale stated, noting, “It is the middle class who pollutes it because they have garbage. Those in informal settlements don’t have garbage because they eat everything.” Duale’s comments, aimed at addressing pollution through resourcefulness in waste management, immediately elicited online backlash, with some interpreting his remarks as dismissive of the challenges faced by lower-income communities.
Following these reactions, Mwaura released a statement emphasizing that the CS’s remarks had been taken out of context. According to Mwaura, Duale’s message was intended to commend the environmentally conscious practices of Kenyans living in informal settlements and to encourage the middle class and other social groups to adopt similar methods for waste reduction. “The comment by Environment CS Aden Duale has been blown out of proportion,” Mwaura asserted. “What he meant is that Kenyans living in informal settlements have mastered the art of recycling and reusing waste materials creatively. The government encourages the middle class and all Kenyans to do the same.”
Duale’s comments tap into a larger, ongoing discussion about pollution in Nairobi, which has been plagued by waste disposal challenges for years. The Nairobi River, one of the city’s crucial water sources, is often choked with garbage, industrial waste, and sewage, much of which comes from residential areas. While informal settlements are commonly blamed for contributing to this pollution due to overcrowded conditions and limited waste management infrastructure, Duale’s remarks sought to shift focus. By acknowledging the practices in informal settlements, Duale spotlighted the potential for resourceful waste management even in economically constrained settings.
According to Mwaura, Duale’s comments should be understood as an appeal to all Kenyans to adopt sustainable practices, particularly regarding waste disposal and recycling. He argued that the government recognizes and values the contributions made by low-income communities in curbing environmental pollution and wants to extend such practices across all social groups. “We’re at a critical moment when we must address waste management across all classes. Recycling and responsible waste disposal are not issues for the poor alone; the middle class also has a role to play,” Mwaura said.
The backlash against Duale’s comments underscores the sensitivity surrounding class issues in Kenya. Many people in informal settlements feel overlooked and misrepresented, especially when remarks about them come from public officials. While Duale’s remarks were intended to recognize the creativity and resourcefulness of these communities, they have instead highlighted the stark differences in waste management practices and, perhaps inadvertently, opened a discussion on the systemic issues affecting pollution in Nairobi.
In conclusion, as Kenya grapples with mounting environmental challenges, conversations about waste management and pollution require careful communication, especially from leaders. Duale’s remarks underscore the need for environmental responsibility across all economic strata, advocating for practices that can bridge class divides rather than reinforce them. Mwaura’s clarification attempts to reframe the narrative, emphasizing that Duale’s intention was to inspire sustainable waste practices rather than to disparage any group. This dialogue, sparked by Duale’s comments, could serve as a pivotal point for encouraging sustainable habits among Kenyans, potentially leading to cleaner cities and a healthier environment across the country.
