Kibera residents threaten protests after City Hall fails to fix burst sewer

Residents of Gatwekera in Sarang'ombe Ward, Kibra in Nairobi risk contracting diseases following deterioration of hygiene in the area, occasioned by a burst of an underground sewerage system.

For the last two weeks, open sewer has been flowing openly in the area, forcing food vendors and shop owners to close down their trade due to fear of contamination.

When The Eastleigh Voice visited Gatwekera, community leader David Ogutu had mobilised volunteers from the slum to try to fix the destroyed sewer system after their calls to Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration fell on deaf ears.

"I have been now forced to mobilise youths from Kibra to volunteer in an effort to help fix this problem. There are real fears that if not contained, the flow of raw sewage can lead to outbreak of diseases," said Ogutu.

Ogutu regretted that authorities had taken long to respond to their call for help, yet the danger the burst sewage system created was evident even from the bad odour and fleas it had attracted.

Several children playing next to dirty water flowing through open waterways compound the residents' fear.

Youth Leader Duncan Wabwire who volunteered to be part of those fixing the mess asked the governor to prioritise fixing broken water and sewerage systems in Kibra and other informal settlements in the city following population growth that has piled pressure on the few available social amenities.

"This problem is not only in Kibra but other informal settlements too within the city. We urge the governor to prioritise fixing broken sewerage and drainage systems to avoid these ugly scenarios," said Wabwire.

in August, Sakaja announced an ambitious project led by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) to expand sewer lines across key estates in the city. This initiative aims to enhance sanitation services and accommodate the city's growing population, which exceeds five million people.

During a recent site tour of Makongeni, Eastleigh, and Kawangware, NCWSC Chairperson Arnold Karanja emphasised the critical need for this project.

"Under the leadership of our Governor, Sakaja Johnson, we are now expanding the sewer lines in some areas of the city to accommodate the rising number of people," Karanja said.

Plans are underway to extend sewer lines within Nairobi's central business district, including around the Supreme Court. This expansion is part of a broader initiative to modernise the city's sewer system.

Sakaja noted that the project would be executed in phases based on necessity, acknowledging the significant financial investment required for a comprehensive overhaul of the city's sewer system.

One of the major undertakings is the Kawangware Sewer Rehabilitation Works. This project involves installing a 5.8-kilometre sewer line to serve Kabiru and Kawangware wards.

Currently 30 per cent complete, the project is expected to be finished by June 2025, significantly improving sanitation services in these densely populated areas.

Another crucial project is the proposed sewer upgrade along Eastleigh's 3rd Avenue. This upgrade, which is 90 per cent complete and expected to be finalised by the end of 2024, features a sewer pipeline designed to enhance the sewer system serving Kaloleni, Makongeni, and parts of the Industrial Area along Lusaka Road. It will also cater to the Shauri Moyo and Bahati affordable housing projects.