Sewage burst along Eastleigh's Twelve Street disrupts businesses, pedestrians

A sewage burst along Twelve Street in Eastleigh has caused significant disruptions for pedestrians, business owners, and motorists who frequent the area.

The sewage burst, which begins near the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet, extends past Ismariot Hotel and spills into the adjacent junction between Barquba Road and General Wariungi Street.

Many pedestrians who rely on the street to access Eastleigh's busy marketplace, expressed frustration, as the sewage water has forced them to walk through contaminated sections of the road. T

The presence of motor vehicles using the cleaner side of the road further exacerbates the issue, as pedestrians are left with little choice but to walk near the sewage, increasing the risk of coming into contact with the dirty water.

"The situation is terrible. We are forced to walk through sewage, and nobody seems to care," said Jamal Muhumed, one of the pedestrians interviewed by the Eastleigh Voice.

Boda boda riders further worsen the situation, as they often drive recklessly through the sewage water, splashing it on the pedestrians.

"They do it on purpose sometimes, riding at high speed through the water," Zainab Samow, another pedestrian, added.

A motorist struggles to drive through sewage spilt along Twelve Avenue in Eastleigh in Kamukunji Constituency. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

Beyond the physical inconvenience, the foul odour emanating from the burst sewage is also a major concern for those in the vicinity. Business owners and taxi operators have had to endure the stench for extended periods.

John Mwirigi, a taxi driver who operates on Twelve Street, said the smell has become part of his daily routine. "It has always been like this since I came here eight months ago. I have learnt to live with the stench because nobody seems ready to fix it," Mwirigi stated.

The open sewage is not only unpleasant but also poses serious safety risks. On Sunday night, a woman fell into the sewage after mistaking a floating paper bag for solid ground. She was quickly rescued by nearby passersby but had to go home drenched in contaminated water.

Several pedestrians have noted that the problem has persisted for months without any repair efforts from authorities. "Imagine, it has been like this for so many months. It is a shame because this is where most people access Eastleigh," Abdikarim Abdullahi, another concerned pedestrian, told the Eastleigh Voice.

The problem worsens significantly during rainy periods when the excess water mixes with the sewage, further spreading it across the road. At such times, the road becomes almost entirely impassable, forcing pedestrians to seek alternative routes.

Despite the complaints from the public, there has been little action from local authorities. When contacted, Kamukunji's Environment Officer, Noah Ngeno, claimed that the situation was beyond his control.

He argued that responsibility for the issue lay with the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, but no action has yet been taken to address the sewage burst.

Sewage spilt along Twelve Avenue in Eastleigh in Kamukunji Constituency. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)