Concern as Eastleigh’s Jam Street chokes in filth

Jam Street, a bustling thoroughfare in Eastleigh is a distressing sight marred by neglect and filth.

The road, home to major malls and businesses such as Bangkok and Sawa Mall, has become a breeding ground for grievances due to mounting piles of dirt and open sewage.

Hawkers who primarily vend clothes in the evening and food items, find themselves at the forefront of this debacle.

Their daily struggle to make a living has been exacerbated by the abysmal condition of Jam Street.

A section of Eastleigh's Jam Street littered with rubbish. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Arafat Ali, a hawker, voiced his concerns to Eastleigh Voice, citing the detrimental impact of the pungent odours emanating from the accumulated filth, causing health issues among vendors.

"The stench from this dirt is making us get sick," he said.

A section of Eastleigh's Jam Street. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Anisa Hussein, a 35-year-old mother who sells clothes in the area, expressed frustration, blaming the county authorities for the dire situation.

She claimed that county workers, commonly known as "kanjos," were responsible for dumping the waste during sewage maintenance. She now wants immediate intervention to rectify the issue.

A view of Eastleigh's Jam Street.(Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Despite pleas from the affected community, the Nairobi City County government has remained silent, offering no immediate response.

The distressing state of Jam Street stands in stark contrast to efforts made a year ago when renovations were undertaken on the road.

However, the current dismal condition underscores a troubling regression, leaving businesses grappling with adverse effects on their operations and livelihoods.

Local businesses and residents are fervently calling upon Nairobi City County to take swift action and clean Jam Street.

A section of Eastleigh's Jam Street. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

The urgency to address this predicament is imperative to ensure the health, safety, and economic vitality of this crucial Eastleigh artery.

Where Jam Street stands is a bustling roadway in Eastleigh, drawing in thousands of shoppers daily.

Its popularity and constant foot traffic create an incredibly vibrant atmosphere. However, this heavy influx of people contributes to significant congestion, especially during the evening hours.

Navigating through Jam Street becomes notably challenging as the road gets packed with people, making it difficult for vehicles to move smoothly.

This congestion presents a significant hurdle for commuters trying to traverse the area during peak hours.