In the heart of Nairobi County’s Lucky Summer Ward in Ruaraka Sub- County, a quiet yet impactful activity has been taking place. Guided by the visionary goals of their Governor’s manifesto, the youth of Lucky Summer are leading the charge in solid waste management and environmental conservation, breathing new life into their community and aligning with the principles of order, dignity, opportunity, and hope.
The driving force behind this transformative movement is the Luckysummer Environmental & Waste Management Organisation (LEWMO), a consortium of 15 organized youth groups. Each group, comprising 15 to 20 members, has united their efforts to tackle environmental challenges from household to ward level. Their reach spans across the six villages within Lucky Summer Ward: Mugure, Gathecha, Lucky Summer, Bakita, IQRA, and Glucola.
At the helm of this movement stands Alvin Ochieng (Alvo), the Founder and Chairman of LEWMO. Under his leadership, these youth groups have rallied together to empower their community and offer invaluable services, working closely with the Lucky Summer ward administrator, Mr. Wario.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Lucky Summer Ward has become a model for the entire Nairobi region, demonstrating how the power of collective action can address crime, elevate waste management standards, generate employment opportunities, and pave the way for a better quality of life.
With 400 youth across 15 groups, the consortium has achieved remarkable feats. Despite the absence of a dedicated environment staff, they voluntarily clean the ward and coordinate garbage collection twice a week. A key achievement has been the eradication of dumpsites, replaced with rejuvenated parks and recreation centers that provide dignity to the community.
Aligned with the Governor’s vision, these youth are committed to achieve their goal of “zero waste to river” through their “Circular Economy” campaign, striving to maximize waste management efficiency.
The 30,000 residents in Lucky Summer benefit from their dedicated efforts. Alvin believes that if the youth continue to shoulder the responsibilities of the ward, they can steer their community toward order, dignity, and prosperity. Their transformed Tempo Center, once a neglected space, now serves as a vibrant hub for youth empowerment through arts. Not only has this center nurtured local talent, but it has also seen 1,500 youths thrive and even go abroad for various opportunities.
LEWMO’s voluntary activities cover crucial areas, including; waste collection, river restoration, training programs, community cleanups, and environmental awareness initiatives. They have managed to attract youth from neighbouring communities such as Dandora who are benefitting from the waste management value chain.
As Lucky Summer Ward continues to bloom under their stewardship, these enterprising youth have demonstrated that sustainable change can be forged when passionate individuals come together for a shared vision. With order, dignity, opportunity, and hope as their guiding stars, they are nurturing a greener future for their community and beyond.