The Nairobi National Park has faced a myriad of problems over the years. As the only national park in Nairobi city, the park fauna and flora and the wildlife therein are exposed to effects of urbanization alongside environmental hazards such as pollution and poor waste disposal; pollution and human encroachment as real threats cannot be understated.

 

It is for this reason that members of the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW-K) and the Kenya Wildlife Service were gathered at the Nairobi National Park on 5th October 2013 ready to clean the park. Student volunteers from Strathmore University’s HATSS (Hospitality and Tourism Students of Strathmore) Club, participated in this activity alongside their peers from Kenyatta University, Nazarene University, Co-operative University College, Multi-media University, and Wildlife Clubs of Kenya and also from University of Eldoret

 

According to Mr. Gitahi, from the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, the initiative was part of Clean Up the World, a movement that began in Australia. The specific theme of the day was “Our Park, Our Environment, Our Responsibility”.

 

Adorned in shirts bearing the clean-up’s theme, all volunteers gathered at the park’s gate ready for  flag- off by the Nairobi Greenline Coordinator,  Wanja Kimani, who congratulated the students for their efforts. Due to the large size of the park, the clean up only saw areas along the park’s East gate, Langata and Magadi Roads, Banda school, the Bomas of Kenya and Rongai areas cleaned. At the end of a long day the successful removal of more than 20 bin bags of litter ranging from plastic bottles, waste bags and cartons.

 

All participants were thereafter treated to a picnic lunch in the park, a visit to the Nairobi Animal Orphanage and also received certificates for taking part in the clean up exercise.

 

It was a very satisfying experience for the HATSS Club members to take part in a noble cause for the environment to save the Nairobi National Park. “We are happy to take part in clean-up events and do our bit for the environment. We see it as a way of putting something back into the community. It also keeps our rivers tidy and looking good” said Albert Ayugi, the club’s chairperson.

 

The Strathmore HATSS Club members had recently visited the Nairobi Safari Walk, the Karen Blixen Museum and the Giraffe Centre as part of their academic visits and club activities.