Children falling into sewage- Eastleigh residents decry deplorable condition of Seventh Street
Locals report that the road has been in a poor state for an extended period, with the heavy rains only exacerbating the problem by increasing the volume of standing water.
Residents of Seventh Street in Eastleigh are raising concerns about the deteriorating condition of the road linking Second Avenue to Third Avenue.
The road, which remains untarmacked, has become increasingly unusable due to erosion, stagnant dirty water, and the buildup of mud, particularly after recent rains.
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Locals report that the road has been in a poor state for an extended period, with the heavy rains only exacerbating the problem by increasing the volume of standing water. The result is a route that is nearly impassable for both vehicles and pedestrians.
The stagnant water emits a foul odour, which residents say is making life in the area increasingly unbearable.
The current state of Seventh Street in Eastleigh. (Abdirahman Khalif)
The road is surrounded by residential buildings and businesses, many of which are struggling to operate normally due to the poor state of the infrastructure.
Hawa Abdullahi, a resident, said children are among those most affected. She explained that many pupils fall into the sewage water on their way to school or madrasa, exposing them to serious health risks.
“Going to school or madrasa is very difficult. It’s not easy walking along the edges—children fall into this mud all the time,” she said.
Yunis Abukar, who lives in one of the buildings along the road, described the situation as unbearable, especially at night. He said getting home after work is a major challenge, and the strong smell from the stagnant water makes it hard to sleep.
“The smell is too strong. Sleeping in these houses at night is so uncomfortable—you can’t even bring a guest here,” he said.
Yunis warned that if the road is not repaired soon, the community may face an outbreak of diseases due to prolonged exposure to raw sewage.
Ali Ibrahim, a 27-year-old taxi driver who operates in the area, said the road is almost impossible to navigate unless the driver is highly experienced. He added that the condition of Seventh Street is starting to affect nearby Third Avenue, as vehicles track mud and sewage with them.
“Navigating this road is extremely difficult. You have to be an experienced driver to pass through, and even then, you risk damaging your tyres,” he said.
The current state of Seventh Street in Eastleigh. (Abdirahman Khalif)
Michael Njuguna, who sells home appliances from a handcart, said he is forced to wear gumboots every time he enters the area.
“It’s like I’m going to work in my garden. People stare, but they don’t realise what kind of road I have to cross every day,” said Njuguna.
Seventh Street is one of the few remaining roads in the area that has not been tarmacked. Other roads, such as Sixth and Eighth Streets, which were previously in a similar state, have since been repaired.
Residents are now calling on the relevant authorities to prioritise the rehabilitation of Seventh Street before the situation worsens any further.
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