Outrage as raw sewage renders Eastleigh’s 2nd Avenue impassable

A torrent of dirty grey sludge has been flooding Eastleigh’s 2nd Avenue for over a week, causing outrage and health concerns among residents and businesses. The sewage, believed to be from a construction site behind an area congested with buildings, has been flowing non-stop, filling the air with a foul odour and making the area nearly impassable.

In addition to the immediate health risks, the sewage spill is hurting the local economy - businesses are losing customers, street vendors have been hit hard, and the area is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate.

Bigmuck, a popular Ethiopian restaurant on 2nd Avenue, has reportedly lost customers due to the unpleasant condition.

"Customers have not wanted to come here since last week," said Abdifatah Abdikher Abdi, the hotel's manager. "The sewage is flowing non-stop right at our doorstep."

Safiya Ali, who sells vegetables and prayer beads, is so desperate for a solution.

"We need urgent help to end this sewage crisis," she said. "This is not only disgusting but also a serious health hazard."

This picture taken on January 24, 2024 shows raw sewage on 2nd Avenue in Eastleigh, Nairobi. (Photo: Issa Hussein)

People who live and work in the area have had to take extreme measures to avoid coming into contact with the sewage. Many have been seen holding their breath and jumping over the flowing waste.

At the construction site where the sewer line is believed to have been perforated, the site engineer, who identified himself only as George, said they were working on a solution. However, he was unable to explain why the situation has persisted for a whole week.

The sewage spill has raised concerns about sanitation infrastructure and City Hall’s response to such crises. Residents are calling for immediate action to be taken to fix the sewage leak and clean up the affected area.