Residents demand action as borehole drilling company renders Yusuf Haji Avenue impassable
Residents and traders are calling for urgent intervention to clean the road and hold the company accountable for repeated negligence.
A section of Yusuf Haji Avenue next to 13th Street has been rendered nearly impassable for several days following the dumping of drilling sludge and stagnant water by a borehole drilling company.
The road is now submerged in waste material, causing major disruption to both pedestrian and vehicle movement and affecting local businesses.
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The sludge, which has collected in large pools, has forced pedestrians to place stones across the road in an attempt to avoid stepping into the mud.
"I don't understand why someone would cause this kind of destruction and nothing happens," said Abdirizaq Hassan, a resident who lives in a nearby building and uses the road daily.
The borehole drilling activity, which has been ongoing for several days, is taking place adjacent to a commercial and residential building. (Abdirahman Khalif)
The borehole drilling activity, which has been ongoing for several days, is taking place adjacent to a commercial and residential building. Access to the building's shops and homes has now been cut off due to the thick sludge.
Some residents have expressed hope that the new borehole will provide a permanent solution to the frequent water shortages in the area. Others, however, are frustrated with the repeated damage caused by the company involved.
"This is illegal. It's hard accessing my stall now because of this sludge," said a hawker who operates near the affected area. He spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of being forced out of the area for speaking out.
Business owners and hawkers who previously sold their goods along the street have been displaced, with no alternative location provided. (Abdirahman Khalif)
Business owners and hawkers who previously sold their goods along the street have been displaced, with no alternative location provided.
The situation has also affected the operations of public transport vehicles that use the road to pick up and drop off passengers.
"We cannot park matatus here now because customers have nowhere to pass when they want to board," said John Thuo, a matatu driver.
Half the road has been affected, making it impossible for two vehicles to pass side-by-side without one of them driving through the mess.
Business owners and hawkers who previously sold their goods along the street have been displaced, with no alternative location provided. (Abdirahman Khalif)
The borehole company behind the drilling has been accused of similar damage in other parts of Eastleigh. Residents claim this is not the first time the firm has left roads damaged after dumping drilling waste, with many tarmacked roads later developing potholes and requiring repair shortly after.
Calls for accountability have grown, with residents demanding action from the Nairobi County Government and relevant regulatory bodies. Many believe that the owner of the drilling company is protected and powerful, which has made it difficult for authorities to act.
A Nairobi County Assembly Member from Kamukunji, who declined to be named, said, "It is beyond all of us," when asked by Eastleigh Voice why the firm continues to operate without consequence.
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