Eastleigh mosque sounds alarm over raw sewage discharge on Second Avenue

Eastleigh mosque sounds alarm over raw sewage discharge on Second Avenue

The community is now urging the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company and the Nairobi City County Government to take immediate steps to stop the discharge and repair the sanitation infrastructure.

Worshippers at Eastleigh’s 8th Street Mosque have raised serious concerns over persistent raw sewage discharge along Second Avenue. The problem has caused major health concerns and continues to hinder access to the mosque, especially for children, women and the elderly.

In a formal letter addressed to the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, the mosque’s committee outlined the risks posed by the sewage that flows directly in front of the mosque.

The letter emphasised that the waste discharge has made the area unhygienic and dangerous for worshippers, many of whom are forced to walk through the sewage in order to access the mosque.

According to the committee, some worshippers unknowingly step into the sewage and enter the mosque physically impure, which interferes with the religious requirement for cleanliness before prayer.

The mosque leadership stated that the situation has worsened due to the development of deep potholes along the road that are filled with stagnant, foul-smelling water.

These potholes have affected not only mosque-goers but also other road users who rely on Second Avenue for daily transport and business activities.

“The situation has made the area around the Masjid (mosque) unhygienic and unsafe, especially for children, women, and the elderly. It is also making access to the Masjid very difficult for many worshippers. Walking through sewage and then going into a place of worship. It’s not acceptable,” the letter to the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company read.

No meaningful response

Residents of Eastleigh say the sewage issue has persisted for several months without any meaningful response from the authorities. The community is now urging the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company and the Nairobi City County Government to take immediate steps to stop the discharge and repair the sanitation infrastructure.

Beyond the sewage issue, the mosque committee also highlighted the general deterioration of Second Avenue. The road serves as a major route into Eastleigh, connecting traders, residents, and worshippers to the busy commercial centre.

The road is filled with potholes and suffers from poor drainage, which has made the problem worse during the rainy season.

The combination of failing infrastructure and continuous sewage overflow has created a wider public health concern.

Eighth Street is home to several commercial enterprises that depend on the road for accessibility and delivery of goods.

When President William Ruto visited Eastleigh in March this year, he promised that the government would rehabilitate the road within two to three months.

He assured local business owners and motorists that the project would ease traffic congestion and improve access to the market area. However, two months later, residents say no work has begun and the conditions have remained the same.

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