Health hazard: Eastleigh residents, traders protest persistent roadside dumping of garbage

Residents and traders in Eastleigh are raising alarm over persistent roadside dumping of garbage, which they say is being conducted by the Green Army under the Nairobi County Government.

The indiscriminate disposal of waste has created an unbearable environment, characterised by foul odours and significant health hazards, disrupting the daily lives of residents and business owners.

The Nairobi County Government is under intense scrutiny for failing to deliver on its promises of regular garbage collection.

Despite numerous assurances from the county government, the issue of uncollected waste continues to plague the community.

Josephine Ngala, a street food vendor, reports that the Green Army, tasked with unclogging drainage systems, often leaves waste on the streets. This waste, intended to dry before being collected, frequently remains on streets for weeks or even months, attracting additional dumping by locals and exacerbating the problem.

"People from as far as Juja A come to St. Teresa to dump their garbage at night," Ngala stated. "The Green Army created a dumpsite months ago, and the locals followed suit.

"Ever since that day, the dumping culture outside this school has been growing. They keep saying trucks will come to take the waste, but they never do," she added.

Fyeeka Jahred, a businessman operating on First Avenue, Third Street, reports that the garbage pile in front of his shop has not only led to a pervasive musty smell but also poses severe health risks to him, his customers, and the general public.

Piles of garbage by the roadside at Eastleigh North ward, Nairobi.

Additionally, the heap of waste often creates traffic snarl-ups, further disrupting business operations. Fyeeka's repeated attempts to have the waste removed have been met with unfulfilled promises from the authorities.

Unfulfilled promises

"I have tried to talk to them, but they always promise to collect the garbage the following day," Fyeeka said.

"Despite this, the garbage has been here for a whole month. They added more yesterday."

Philemon Kioko, another affected business owner, shares a similar plight. He reports that piles of garbage have been left outside his shop for weeks, driving away customers due to the unbearable stench and unsanitary conditions.

"The Green Army created a dumpsite outside my shop, and they keep saying it will be collected, but it has been weeks," Kioko said. "Every day, the pile gets bigger, and the stench becomes unbearable."

Simon Kitili, a fruit vendor in Eastleigh North Ward, criticizes the practice of dumping on the roads after cleaning the drains, suggesting that it would be better to leave the waste in the drains if prompt collection cannot be ensured.

"The county has so many trucks. I don't understand why they choose to leave the trash everywhere," Kitili said. "If you ask them why they are dumping, they rudely say it's their job."

Hibrahim Otieno, Nairobi County's chief officer for the environment, defended the practice, explaining that wet waste from drains is left to dry before collection to facilitate easier handling. "When waste is removed from the drain and it's wet, we allow it to drain before collection. Otherwise, we have trucks to collect the waste," Otieno explained.

However, residents contest this claim, stating that collection is infrequent and limited to a few designated areas, leaving many others neglected. They argue that the county's response has been inadequate and call for immediate action to address the worsening situation.