It is only 40 minutes drive from Nairobi to Thika, the home
of pineapples. Thika is probably the largest grower of pineapples with such
famous companies as Delmonte having their fare share plantations here. By the
road side you cant miss the many sellers hawking the juicy fruits, a sign that
you are now in the area of Thika.
Our weekend outing
destination is 14 falls, but after a short hike at the kilima mbogo hills. We
are looking out to have a family fun day out.
It is a beautiful ride, on our left with pineapple
plantations, and on our right we have Kilimambogo hill. Very little traffic on
the way too, a perfect get away from the noise of Nairobi.
Kilimambogo means buffalo hills, and the name has its origin
from the times when you could not go up the hill because of the huge herds of
the buffalos that used to reside here. Too bad that mans has continued to
multiply, and in the process pushed them away.
Just at the foot is
where Athi river passes, and it is the river, where 14 falls is located. The
river originates from the Ngong hills and it is the second longest river. It
continues and empties into the Indian ocean.
This water fall has its name originate from the 14 streams
that drip down the rocky outcrops and falls into the gully below, forming the
water falls. Well I tried to count the
streams but it was impossible. Definitely a lot has changed with time, and the
continued rains off course is not helping as the water has risen very high.
For many years, this has been a nice spot for many families
looking for an escape from the busy lives, and to spend some time together.
Also school organized trips come here and stretch a bit, a change from books
and chalk.
But what first meets you when you get closer to the barrier
is the strong putrid smell, almost sulfur-like. The park authority here
confirm that the river has been polluted by industrial wastes that find its way
to the river. This simply means that some industries are not taking care of
their wastes the way they should.
I can only imagine how many industries that this river
passes by, before it reaches Thika, another industrial town.
Is NEMA not aware of this? Or is it too small a thing for
them to deal with?
Honorable Michuku left a legacy of a doer. He once said that people will drink the water
from Nairobi river. Unfortunately he left before it just happened. We continue
to see the results of his work for the time he was in charge of environment.
But his biggest legacy on traffic, no need to repeat. Professor Wangari Mathai did it too, only for us to
recognize her work after her demise.
Are there no other Mathais and Michukis who can take those
dockets and have action done?
14 falls headed for the history book, or entering history
books as a garbage base?
NEMA and Ministry of Environment, where are you? Are the
sits in the office too warm to go out and do your jobs? Kiambu county
government, this is in your county, where are you?
I dare them to go out to the 14 falls, and you shall confirm
that before you get out of the vehicle, the first greetings you get will not be
revenue collectors at the gate, but from the small in the air.
It has been many years since I was last here, and thought
its time I visited this fall again, and maybe shoot a few birds with my lenses,
just like old times. But today, it was a
sickening state of affairs. For those who have not visited the waterfall in
more than 5 years, you will be in for a rude shock. 5 years is such a little
time for the drastic change that is their now.
I had in mind the clear picture of the fall, with clean
water, where we used to take walks across the river at the rocky fall edge,
just where the water starts the fall, and enjoyed the cold splashes of water on
us like small kids. It was fun then. It
used to be clear water and you would let it splash on your face and feel the
sting of the cold waters then.
We have received industrial liberalization thanks to the new
constitution and governance. Many factories have sprung up, like mushroom. From
juice making, cement, flour, soaps, the list is endless, but does that mean
that even the industrial wastes became ‘’liberalized?”
The turn of events is unfortunate with such a beautiful fall
becoming the dumping site, and even more sad is the fact that people especially
children will come to play in this water, that seemingly look clean to them,
yet the smell and soapy foam tell of a different story.
NEMA, Ministry of Environment, NGOs, and each individual,
lets all do small thing, in Prof Mathai’s words: DO YOUR SMAll THING, it will
help.
P.K.Philip
Safari guide
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