The Ministry of Environment and Forestry was blasted on social media for complaining about pollution of rivers yet ensuring their cleanliness falls within its mandate.

In a tweet to celebrate International Day of Action for Rivers, the ministry headed by Keriako Tobiko asked Kenyans to unite and respect the rights of rivers by ensuring they remain clean.

Keriako Tobiko. PHOTO/COURTESY 

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The Environment Ministry lamented over how rivers worldwide had been reduced to sewerage canals and chocked by industrial pollutants turning them into duping sites.

“Rivers around the world, especially in cities, have been reduced to sewage canals or choked with toxic industrial pollutants. Often there are encroachments on the flood-plains, which have also become dumping sites. It's high time that we unite for the 'Rights of Rivers',” the ministry tweeted.

It added, “Just as people have their right to freedom, rivers too should have rights. Today is International Day of Action for Rivers a day set aside to celebrate the 'Rights of Rivers'. #RightofRivers #ActionForRivers.”

But social media users were not amused and accused the ministry of complaining like the general public yet it had the mandate to ensure rivers in the country are free from pollution.

Late John Michuki. PHOTO/COURTESY

The post by the ministry was accompanied by a photo of Nairobi River, which was once returned to its lost glory by the late former Environment Minister John Michuki, who also oversaw tree planting at the Michuki Memorial Park near Globe cinerma roundabout in Nairobi.   

Here are a few of their reactions: