Green Revolution: Lucky Summer Youth Transform Dumpsites into Green Havens Against All Odds

If you had visited Lucky Summer a few years ago, you might have mistaken it for a set from a post-apocalyptic movie—overflowing dumpsites, crime lurking in every corner, and an air of neglect thick enough to cut with a knife. But today, a different kind of green dominates the streets—not just in the trees that have reclaimed lost spaces, but in the jumpsuits worn by the young men leading a quiet revolution.

Nairobi is drowning in waste. Illegal dumping is rampant, and large portions of the city’s garbage never make it to proper disposal sites. With an overstretched waste management system and low public awareness, much of this refuse finds its way into roadsides, waterways, and open spaces, polluting the environment and endangering public health.

Every day, Nairobi generates approximately 2,300 tonnes of solid waste, yet less than half—just 45%—undergoes any form of recovery or treatment. The rest piles up in dumpsites, riverbeds, and forgotten corners of the city. But in one such corner—Lucky Summer Ward, Ruaraka Sub-county, Baba Dogo location—change is taking root.

Here, I meet Alvin Ochieng’ Omondi, the founder of Lucky Summer Environmental & Waste Management Organization (LEWMO). More than just a cleanup initiative turning waste into wealth and former troublemakers into change-makers, LEWMO is a movement—rallying the community to reclaim their environment, redefine their future, and turn waste into opportunity. Through collective action, they are proving that a cleaner, greener future is not just an idea—it is a work in progress.

The Clean-ups

As I walk through the streets of Lucky Summer, I notice groups of young men in green overalls diligently tidying up the area. Their energy and dedication is unmistakable. Alvin explains that his organization seeks to bring young men together, offering them an alternative to crime by creating employment through waste management initiatives. These youths are at the forefront of solid waste management and environmental conservation, breathing new life into their community while embodying the values of order, dignity, opportunity, and hope.

With evident pride, Alvin takes me on a tour of the area, pointing out former dumpsites that LEWMO had successfully transformed into green spaces by planting trees and rejuvenating neglected areas. Along the way, young men in green jumpsuits labelled “LEWMO,” are seen actively working in different parts of the neighbourhood. It seems to be trash collection day, with more young men going door to door collecting waste. After collection, they meticulously sort the waste into categories for recycling, reusing, treatment, and, when necessary, disposal.

“It is essential for reducing pollution, conserving resources, and ensuring proper waste disposal while minimizing the amount of garbage ending up in landfills,” Alvin explains as he delegates tasks to the young men around him.

Curious about LEWMO’s collaboration with local authorities, I ask whether he has ever worked with the county government. After all, in 2023, the Nairobi County Governor launched an initiative that employed over 2,500 youth to help keep the city clean.

Building trust

“Being actively involved in community clean-ups for environmental conservation allowed LEWMO to establish strong ties with the area chief and county government,” he notes. Their activities include sweeping streets, decluttering sewer pipes, and collecting garbage from public spaces.

“We have made a significant impact since founding the organization in 2017. Many former dumpsites in Lucky Summer have been transformed into green spaces. These areas were once hubs for criminal activity, making the neighbourhood unsafe.”

He recalls a time when distinguishing between genuine waste pickers and criminals posing as them was a challenge. “People were hesitant to trust us. During our door-to-door collections, families often profiled and dismissed us, assuming we had ulterior motives. This skepticism initially slowed our clean-up efforts.”

Recognizing this challenge, Alvin took a proactive approach to bridge the disconnect by branding LEWMO, a move that helped dismantle the stigma of being criminalized. He credits this step for allowing them to control their narrative and build the organization in the right direction. Voluntary jobs also played a crucial role, enabling them to raise funds to purchase uniforms, further solidifying their identity.

Through their efforts, LEWMO cleaned up the environment and restored the connection between people and nature. Transforming dumpsites into green parks had been a long-standing dream, and seeing it become a reality was a major milestone. Alvin proudly shares how community members began taking an interest in the trees they planted, wanting to learn about their benefits—an unexpected but welcome outcome of their work.

As we move through a residential area, Alvin continues delegating tasks, giving instructions to his team, and making phone calls to coordinate logistics. He explains that part of his strategy to reshape Lucky Summer involves personally funding a lorry to collect garbage across the ward. Once the waste is sorted, it is transported to the Dandora Dumpsite for proper disposal.

“I am proud to say that we now have a system that works in our favour,” he says confidently. “We collect garbage twice a week, and things are no longer how they used to be. The transformation is visible, proving our organization’s commitment to curbing waste in our community.”

He continues, “This has drastically reduced illegal dumping and instilled a sense of responsibility among residents, knowing we will always be there to collect their garbage. It has also had a profound social impact—drug use and gang activity have significantly declined because so many young men are now engaged in meaningful work.”

Reducing crime

Reflecting on the past, he recalls, “Life in Lucky Summer used to be chaotic. We would often lose young men to crime. Many believed it was the only way to provide for their families. But when we bring them in, mentor them, and expose them to new opportunities, their mindsets shift, and their lives take a different turn. We have cleaned up the environment and reduced the number of premature deaths in our community.” His voice carries both pride and relief as he shares this achievement.

In the past, Lucky Summer grappled with rampant insecurity, with marauding gangs instilling fear among residents. However, the area is now noticeably more peaceful and orderly, as many young men are engaged in meaningful roles and responsibilities.

After the garbage collection lorry left,  Alvin leads me to one of the green parks, where their organization’s vision was etched onto a sewer pipe. The inscription reads: “Form ni kureform, kutransform na kuperform”—a powerful statement meaning the plan is to reform Lucky Summer, transform it into a habitable place, and perform duties to the best of LEWMO’s abilities.

Nearby stood a monument depicting their long-term vision in picture form—a man in a boat sailing through clean water, symbolizing the restored Nairobi River. This imagery represents their commitment to river rehabilitation, tackling illegal dumping, and revolutionizing waste management in Lucky Summer.

Alvin affirms that young boys witnessing such transformations are inspired to embrace positive change. “This movement is not just about changing one person’s life—we aspire to influence an entire generation,” he says with conviction.

Using his social media platform to expose what he described as blatant land grabbing, Alvin called out a local politician. He wrote: “The heartbreaking cutting down of trees at Tempo Art Centre—once a neglected space, now a vibrant hub for youth empowerment through arts—is an assault on our community and environment. How can the same government that promises to safeguard our spaces be the one providing the excavators to destroy them?”

Fighting corruption

Alvin explains why he believes the politician constantly undermines his efforts. “They see initiatives like ours as a threat because they want to control young people through bribery and corruption. When someone is desperate, it is hard to turn down such offers,” he says, frustration evident in his voice.

“Our efforts to clear these dumpsites are genuine, but when we succeed, some politicians see it as an opportunity to grab the land and resell it for their gain,” he explains. To counter such corrupt tactics, he ensures that all his actions align with the law.

“Leadership changes over time. You might have a good politician in office today, but tomorrow, a completely different one takes over. That is why following the law gives you immunity from many misfortunes,” he states.

He acknowledges that not all government entities support their work—something he expected, given that waste management and environmental conservation should largely be the government’s responsibility. “Take the area chief, for instance. It is his duty to ensure a clean and well-maintained environment. So when we step in to do what they should, they see us as a threat. They might feel like we are trying to expose or outshine them, which makes it difficult to get their support,” he says.

Despite this, he remains hopeful. “Our leaders need to stop seeing us as threats. We welcome collaboration—for the good of our environment.”

The youth of Lucky Summer have gone the extra mile to engage with the government, seeking ways to collaborate despite the many obstacles they encounter. Alvin emphasizes the importance of working within the law, always advising young people to let the Constitution be their shield and defender.

He acknowledges that guiding young men through rediscovery is no easy task. “It takes resilience and patience,” he admits. However, the rewards are evident—many of these young men now have powerful testimonies, and some have become role models in their community.

LEWMO is more than just a name; it represents the promise of a sustainable future and a thriving community. Their unwavering commitment to transforming human habitats into havens of sustainability drives them forward. With a focus on advocating for proper waste management solutions, they continue to nurture the environment and promote healthier lifestyles.

Alvin’s parting words are a call to action for young people to embrace challenges, take responsibility for their environment, and leave a lasting positive impact on future generations. With poor waste management and rising urban pressures contributing to environmental degradation in the city, he urges collective action to raise awareness about proper waste disposal. “Everyone has a role to play in protecting our environment and shaping a healthier, more sustainable world.”

Edited by Pius Okore.