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Eastleigh South MCA demands action as garbage blocks sewer lines

Nairobi County environmental officers unclog sewer lines in the Shah Macaan area of Eastleigh on Janaury 17, 204. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | 30 Apr 2024

Eastleigh residents have been protesting against the poor state of roads, poor sanitation, and uncollected garbage in the business hub.

The issue of blocked sewer lines and drainage systems in Eastleigh, Nairobi, has once again come to light as heavy rains cause severe damage across the country.

Eastleigh South MCA Nicholas Okwacho is the latest leader to raise concerns, saying his ward is particularly vulnerable as uncollected garbage blocks sewer lines.

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"The county is currently experiencing heavy rainfall, which is negatively affecting residents due to damaged sewer lines and floods, with fatalities being reported in some parts," Okwacho said.

"One of the causes of the flooding is the uncollected garbage that has clogged drainages and interrupted the free flow of rainwater, leading to environmental damage and water pollution."

The pollution, he said, has affected business operations and exposed hundreds of families to health hazards.

Okwacho called for solutions in line with constitutional provisions and the law.

"The Constitution guarantees every person the right to a clean and healthy environment," he said, referencing Article 42 and relevant county and national waste management regulations.

The MCA further asked the chairperson of the Sectoral Committee on Environment and Natural Resources to state the measures taken by the county executive to restore the sewer lines and to address the non-collection of garbage due to the non-payment of solid waste contractors.

"The committee should look into and report on measures put in place to ensure efficient and timely waste collection and disposal within the county, to alleviate environmental degradation, including flooding during the rainy season," the MCA said.

Further, the MCA noted that the garbage menace has attracted street families who search through the piles for food and items they can sell. Okwacho said this problem is worsened by the lack of streetlights.

Eastleigh residents have been protesting against the poor state of roads, poor sanitation, and uncollected garbage in the business hub.

In March, Nairobi County, the Mazingira Movement, and residents embarked on a cleanup campaign, starting at Muratina Road and going all the way to General Wariungi Street and Yusuf Haji Road.