Machakos county director of Hygiene and Sanitation Department Josyline Nzeki has encouraged residents from the region to keep high standards of hygiene set by the government.
"Majority of Mavoko residents do not understand what staying in clean environment means, you are not keeping clean for the county government but for yourselves. It is both the responsibility of the government and residents to package well their garbage," said Nzeki.
"As we are opening the drainage, getting rid of both solid and liquid wastes that can lead to health hazards to the residents especially children. The residents should emulate and set clean sanitation standards," she said.
The officer spoke during a clean up exercise and public sensitization on how to keep the environment clean in Mlolongo town on Sunday.
More than 800 volunteer residents participated in the activity that was conducted in the entire Mlolongo/Syiokimau ward.
The county's chief officer decentralized units, Pauline Mbondo, Director County administration and coordination Lazarus Kivuva and decentralized units county executive Kioko Waluka also participated in the one day exercise.
Nzeki called on owners of undeveloped plots in the region to fence and develop them as a preventive measure to the unlawful dumping of solid wastes.
"As Mavoko sub county, we are ready to help them develop the plots," said Ituo.
Nzeki told the residents, especially those running hotels, bars, pubs and restaurants to ensure they had clean toilets, she said they should visit modern county public toilets in Mlolongo and Chyumvi so as to learn and emulate on how a toilet should be.