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Kenya

The presbyterian church of Kenya has urged the people to vote against the present ruling party during the forthcoming elections, as the government has failed to combat pollution. "The government's attitude is leading to serious environmental degradation,' the church alleged. Heaps of garbage are scattered in many urban areas, including the capital Nairobi. This has led to the prevalence of diseases such as diarrhoea and typhoid. In April 2001, an outbreak of typhoid killed almost 100 people in Embu town. The municipal councils are unable to collect the waste due to mismanagement and lack of funds. The church even criticised a proposal of the government to cut parts of a forest area to resettle landless people. The area is part of a water catchment zone for major Kenyan rivers. Environmentalists say if the proposal is implemented, the country will face a serious water shortage.

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