Sludge dumping by Nairobi's Green Army sparks health, safety concerns along Eastleigh's General Wariungi Street

Residents, traders, and transport operators in Eastleigh are raising concerns over the dumping of wet sludge by Nairobi's Green Army along General Wariungi Street, near 13th Street.

The sludge, which spans several meters, has been left on the roadside after being removed from a blocked sewage system. The waste is emitting a strong odour and has caused major disruptions to daily movement in the area.

The sludge has blocked a large section of the road, making it difficult for vehicles and motorcycles to pass. Drivers are now forced to use a narrow remaining path, which has created congestion and increased traffic jams.

Pedestrians have also been affected as they can no longer use their usual crossing points, and many have been forced to take alternative routes to reach their destinations.

The water flowing from the sludge has spread further down the road, causing damage to the surface and reaching as far as Yussuf Haji Avenue.

Residents say the dumping has made a bad situation worse. The original problem was a blocked sewer system, which caused flooding whenever it rained. Although the sludge was removed from the drains, dumping it beside the same sewage lines has resulted in it returning to the system, which residents say defeats the purpose of the clean-up effort.

Covers for the sewage system have also been removed and not replaced, creating open pits that pose a risk to people, especially children, who could fall into them.

Residents and business owners have expressed frustration over what they call poor planning and a lack of concern from the city authorities.

Bernard Muilu, a bodaboda operator operating along the street, said the foul smell from the sludge is now affecting their ability to work.

"The smell is too much, and we fear that it could lead to the outbreak of diseases," he said.

Drivers of public transport vehicles, including taxis and matatus, have criticised the Nairobi City County Government for what they describe as destructive and unhelpful actions.

They say that the sludge has already caused damage to the road surface and believe that the situation will not improve even after the waste is cleared.

“This is what they do. I don’t understand why they do not come up with other alternative ways of unlocking this sewage,” said Alphones Kiumbuku, a matatu driver who operates in the area.

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• Sludge dumping by Nairobi's Green Army sparks health
• safety concerns along Eastleigh's General Wariungi Street

Noah Kuria, a taxi driver, said that driving through the sludge is no longer possible, and he now avoids the area altogether.

“I can’t pass here. Traffic jams will now increase because vehicles will squeeze into that small section remaining,” he said.

Pedestrians from Barcuba Street and those moving to and from California Estate are among the most affected.

Ahmed Yusuf, a resident and regular pedestrian, said that the blockage has made it hard for people to move.

“We have nowhere to pass now. The road is blocked,” he explained.

When contacted by The Eastleigh Voice, Gideon Langat, who is the California Environment Officer, confirmed that the sludge would remain on-site for at least three more days. He said that they were waiting for it to dry before it could be removed.

“We had nowhere else to dump it. Dumping on the other side means we are blocking business,” Langat said.

He added that the Green Army lacks the necessary equipment and logistical support to manage the sludge properly.

The area affected is known for its high foot traffic and hosts hundreds of businesses, including hospitals, wholesale and retail outlets. It is also one of the main roads used by commuters leaving Eastleigh.

Residents and road users have called on Nairobi City County to come up with a better and more sustainable method of sewage management to avoid such disruptions in the future.