Coast

Mombasa school urges relocation of waste site due to health hazards and disruptions

A truck collects garbage in Mombasa. Photo: Mishi Gongo

By Mishi Gongo | Friday, June 28, 2024

Mombasa County Environment CEC Francis Thoya blamed unregistered garbage collectors who dump garbage in illegal places.

A school and a church in Tudor, Mombasa, have urged the county to relocate a waste collection location because the unpleasant scent interferes with their daily operations.

Busy Bee School Principal Dorothy Kaimuri expressed concerns that the garbage collection point, behind the school, has turned into a dump site, creating a health hazard for students and staff.

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Speaking over the phone with The Eastleigh Voice, the principal stated that learning has become difficult since kids are obliged to tolerate the terrible smell emanating from the waste heaps.

"The garbage is a health hazard to our pupils and staff. The school has been here for over 30 years but the garbage collection point has been brought recently. We ask the county government to relocate the collection point away from residential and school premises," she said.

The headteacher said efforts to reach the county Department of the Environment have been futile.

She urged Governor Abdulswamad Nassir's administration to relocate the dump site to prevent further disruptions caused by the foul smell.

"The stench is unbearable, school absenteeism has increased as more students complain of stomach ache and diarrhoea," said Kaimuri.

Deputy Principal Kenneth Omolo lamented that noise from the trucks loading garbage disrupts lessons, and teachers have abandoned the staffroom located near the dump site.

Reverend Tim Thairu, Lead Pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church, said they have resolved to have shorter services to save the worshippers from the torment of the strong smell.

"The smell is so sharp, it feels like a burning sensation on your nostrils. We had to tell our congregation that it was from a garbage collection behind the church," Thairu said, requesting the county government to find a different location for garbage collection in Tudor Ward.

Area Member of County Assembly Samir Baloo stated that the county has made arrangements to shift the collection point before the resumptions of study next week.

"We have made arrangements to shift the collection point. By the time the student returns from their half-term break we will have solved the problem," said the MCA.

Mombasa County Environment CEC Francis Thoya blamed unregistered garbage collectors who dump garbage in illegal places.

"We have had a challenge with people who collect domestic garbage and dump it in illegal places but we are working on it. Anybody caught dumping garbage in areas that are not set aside for that will charged as per the law," he said.