Coast

Mombasa's Tudor residents demand action against raw sewage pollution

Sewage discharge from local houses in the Tudor neighbourhood. Photo: Farhiya Hussein

By Farhiya Hussein | Thursday, March 21, 2024

Frustrated by the lack of action from authorities, residents are demanding immediate intervention.

Residents of Mombasa's Tudor neighbourhood have expressed concern over the ongoing flow of raw sewage from nearby homes directly into the sea via underground rainfall conduits.

The untreated sewage has not only tainted the waters of Tudor Beach but has also raised serious health concerns among the community.

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According to Hussein Mohammed, a concerned resident, the ongoing sewage discharge demonstrates a blatant disregard for public health and environmental safety.

“The offensive odour emanating from the polluted waters has made Tudor Beach practically unusable, while the heightened risk of contracting waterborne diseases has further exacerbated the situation,” he said.

Frustrated by the lack of action from authorities, residents are demanding immediate intervention.

Sewage discharge from local houses in the Tudor neighbourhood. Photo: Farhiya Hussein

An environmentalist Sammy Mohamed lamented the deteriorating condition of the sea, noting its adverse effects on marine life and human health.

“We are facing significant challenges because when we try to conserve the environment by planting mangroves, this sewage line greatly affects us. Mangroves are trees that support the environment, allowing fish to breed. Additionally, mangroves help purify the air by absorbing pollutants and releasing clean air,” said Mohamed.

A human rights lobby group, Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma emphasised the urgent need for government agencies, including the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Mombasa County Government, to address the issue promptly.

Tudor Residents during a press briefing addressing the perennial sewage problem around the Tudor area. Photo: Farhiya Hussein

In response to the crisis, the residents have issued a two-week ultimatum for the authorities to resolve the sewage discharge problem.

They said failure to do so would result in legal action being taken on behalf of the Tudor community.

The residents are determined to hold accountable those responsible for the environmental degradation and public health hazards caused by sewage pollution.

Responding to The Eastleigh Voice, the CEC Water Mombasa County, Emily Achieng said, “Initially we were to do a constructed wetland like the one we are doing in Runyu Mikindani and it was to be part of the UN-HABITAT Tudor beach regeneration program. But finally, they removed it from the scope of work and now we have to budget for it in the next financial year.”

According to the CEC, it is a storm drain where residents have unlawfully linked sewers, therefore they are looking into a combined system for sewer and stormwater at the tail end, as well as blocking at various levels of the trunk after mapping and notifying the owners.

“There's a multi-department team led by the Deputy Governor looking at this menace that includes water, environment, health, blue economy, lands and transport. We do not have a sewer line around there hence developers are supposed to provide an on-site solution. We work closely with building inspectors to ensure they do not change plans after approval and transport blocks. We hope to work on Tudor Beach soon to allow the regeneration program to commence and give citizens around there a decent recreational facility,” she said.