By Joseph Mose
For years, Nyambera in Kisii Town was a place residents associated with rubbish, foul smells and the less glamorous side of urban life.
Today, the story is changing.
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What was once a dumpsite has been transformed into Governor’s Park, a public green space that the Kisii County Government says represents a new chapter in its efforts to restore the environment and improve the quality of life for residents.
The transformation will take centre stage on September 20, when Kisii hosts the 2026 World Cleanup Day celebrations at Nyambera and the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC).
For residents who witnessed the site’s former state, the new park offers more than a physical facelift. It is a visible reminder of what can happen when a space once associated with waste is reclaimed for the community.
The celebrations, themed “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” are expected to bring together environmental stakeholders, including UN-Habitat, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs, the Kenya Prisons Service and other partners.
The event comes as the administration of Governor Simba Arati steps up efforts to tackle waste management and environmental degradation through initiatives including Kazi Mashinani and the Material Recovery Centre at ATC.
The programmes are aimed not only at keeping neighbourhoods cleaner but also at creating livelihoods by turning waste management into an economic opportunity.
Kisii’s environmental journey is also beginning to attract attention beyond the county.
Its interventions have featured in international discussions, including engagements around the United Nations General Assembly, raising hopes that the county can attract investment while creating jobs and advancing sustainable development.
For the residents of Nyambera, however, the significance of the transformation is closer to home.
A place once defined by waste is now being presented as a place for people.
The county government is inviting members of the public to join the World Cleanup Day celebrations at Nyambera and ATC from 9am on September 20.
The event will provide an opportunity for residents and partners to celebrate the progress made so far—and to reflect on what a cleaner, greener Kisii could look like in the years ahead.
