Nairobi County cleans up Eastleigh roundabout after Eastleigh Voice coverage

The clean-up followed a report highlighting the increasing issue of the roundabout being used as an unofficial dumping site.

Kamukunji Subcounty Environment Officer Noah Ngeno confirmed the clean-up, expressing concern over the condition of the roundabout prior to the intervention. Ngeno stated that the neglect and its use as a dumping site were unacceptable.

Speaking to the Eastleigh Voice, he explained that, after reading the article, the county had no choice but to act swiftly for the residents' benefit.

"I promised to clear that garbage last time. You can see how clean it is now," Ngeno said.

"We shall not accept any more garbage on the roundabout," he further emphasised that the roundabout would no longer be used as a dumping site and that future violations would not be tolerated.

In addition to the clean-up, the county erected a signboard at the roundabout to discourage dumping. The sign warns, "No dumping, 200 fine."

On the other side, a separate warning written in Kiswahili reads, "Usikojoe hapa utachapwa, 200,000," which translates to "Do not urinate here; you will be beaten and fined Sh200,000."

Despite the cleanup, the issue of street families using the roundabout as a place to sleep remains unresolved.

The Eastleigh Voice observed several street families still occupying the area last week. Although these individuals typically came to the roundabout in the evenings, they are now seen spending both day and night at the site.

A warning sign at the Eastleigh roundabout discouraging dumping and environmental degradation. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)

Residents in the surrounding areas have raised concerns that these street families may be contributing to the garbage problem. Some have accused the street families of bringing waste from other areas and dumping it on the roundabout at night.

The allegations suggest that this practice has worsened the area's cleanliness and added to the roundabout's degradation.

There are also allegations that members of these street families vandalised the signposts around the roundabout. Reports indicate that thieves steal the signs at night and sell them as scrap metal. This has created additional challenges for the county as they seek to maintain order and cleanliness at the site.

The roundabout on Twelfth Street, located opposite Equity Bank in Eastleigh, had been in a state of neglect for weeks, with piles of garbage accumulating daily. The waste caused unpleasant smells and presented an unattractive image for the busy commercial area. Without a solution in sight at the time, the garbage continued to grow, contributing to the worsening conditions.

Garbage issues in Eastleigh are longstanding. The area has consistently faced improper waste disposal, worsened by inadequate systems to manage the high volume of waste produced by local businesses. With a growing population and a thriving economy, Eastleigh continues to grapple with significant waste management challenges.

Last month, Eastleigh North Member of County Assembly (MCA) Ahmedkadar Dabar addressed the ongoing waste issues in the area. He explained that a significant portion of the garbage in Eastleigh originates from businesses that do not follow proper waste disposal procedures.

According to the MCA, many businesses hand over their waste to street families, who then dump it on the streets and roads.

"The majority of these businesses give their waste to street families, who then dump it on our streets and roads. This should not be happening," Dabar stated.

He also highlighted that there are licensed community-based organisations (CBOs) in Eastleigh responsible for garbage collection. However, many businesses prefer to use street families because they are cheaper. This practice has compounded the area's waste disposal issues.

In response, Dabar promised to take action against malls and other businesses that hire street families for waste disposal. He disclosed that some businesses store their waste throughout the day and discreetly hand it over to street families for dumping at night.

"We will take strong actions against those malls; they are heavily contributing to the garbage problem in Eastleigh," Dabar asserted.