Business

Residents cry foul as borehole company floods General Waruinge street with filthy water

A muddy section of Genneral Waruinge Road

By Abdirahman Khalif | Thursday, January 11, 2024

A section of General Waruinge Street in Eastleigh, Nairobi, has been left in tatters after a borehole drilling company caused a major spill of dirty water and mud. The incident, which occurred near 12th Street roundabout, has completely destroyed the road, making it impassable for both vehicles and pedestrians.

A section of General Waruinge Street in Eastleigh, Nairobi, has been left in tatters after a borehole drilling company caused a major spill of dirty water and mud. The incident, which occurred near 12th Street roundabout, has completely destroyed the road, making it impassable for both vehicles and pedestrians.

The drilling company, contracted by Diamond Complex building opposite Madina Mall, has been working in the area for several days. Residents and business owners say the spill has had a devastating impact, not only on the road infrastructure but also on their livelihoods.

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Muddy mayhem

Fatuma Ibrahim, a mother who sells camel milk and Somali pastries along the affected stretch, is one of the worst-hit. "Customers can't reach me anymore because the mud has completely cut off this section from the other side," she laments. "My business is suffering." Halima, another hawker, worries about the contamination of her dates and pastries due to the filthy water and mud. She also raises concerns about potential health risks associated with exposure to the mess. "I'm scared of diseases spreading from this," she says. "We need the county government and NEMA to take action against these irresponsible companies."

Motorists are forced to use one lane as the other lane is full of mud.

Taxi troubles

Adow Abdi, a taxi operator based near the Diamond Complex, shares Fatuma and Halima's frustrations. "It's become impossible to navigate this road," he complains. "We're forced to squeeze through the tiny section that's not covered in mud, and it's causing major delays." Gacma Dheere, the director of this company, informed the Eastleigh Voice that they plan to dispatch two exhausters to clear the debris and tidy up the road.

Not the first incident

This incident is not an isolated one. Eastleigh residents have long been plagued by borehole drilling companies that leave roads in shambles after completing their work. Seven Street and parts of Second Avenue are just a few examples of roads left in ruin by these careless drilling practices. Earlier this week, tensions flared in Shah Macaan when residents confronted Nairobi Water officials attempting to dig up the pavement. Residents, tired of the endless cycle of destruction and neglect, accused the company of repeating the same pattern of digging and disappearing without repairs. Nairobi Water, on the defensive, claimed they were only searching for a water pipe, but residents remain skeptical.

Disrespectful act

Eastleigh residents feel ignored and disrespected by both the companies responsible for the damage and the city officials who seem to turn a blind eye to their plight. "We're tired of the dust, the potholes, the mess!" exclaimed Omar Said, a local businessman. "These companies treat our roads like their own personal dump yards, and then they just vanish. We need accountability! We need our roads fixed!"