The Nairobi County government has kick-started a crackdown in Githurai 44 targeting landlords and traders who are disposing of, or facilitating the disposal of, raw sewage in open areas.
In a statement on Thursday, August 28, Nairobi County Environment Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria said that his department has already issued a seven-day notice to all landlords and will begin arrests next week if they do not comply.
Mosiria added that, following any arrests, the county government will take legal action against the individuals.
According to Mosiria, the county has also issued a vacate notice to all vendors who have been found erecting structures on drainage systems, which have, in turn, blocked them.
"Today, together with our Environmental Officer in Githurai 44, Roysambu Constituency, and joined by the area MCA, we responded to the deteriorating state of the environment in the area," Mosiria said.
"Raw sewage and waste were flowing openly, while drainage systems had been completely blocked by vendors who had erected illegal structures on them. It is also unfortunate that some landlords have directed their sewer lines into the open drainage system," he added.
According to Mosiria, the raw sewage not only created an unsightly environment but also exposed the residents, particularly children, to serious health risks, especially waterborne diseases.
"It is unfortunate that some landlords have directed their sewer lines into the open drainage system, worsening the situation and exposing the public to serious health risks. We collected the garbage and issued notices to the vendors to vacate the drainage corridors," Mosiria said.
The announcement comes a month after the county government kick-started a crackdown in Pipeline Estate targeting landlords, caretakers, and tenants who fail to comply with waste management laws.
According to Mosiria, some tenants and landlords in these estates often fail to pay for waste management services, which in turn undermines the county government's ability to provide these services and pay private contractors who assist in managing waste across the county.
Mosiria noted that tenants and landlords from these estates who are found responsible for illegal dumping will be arrested and required to use their own funds to clean their premises and transport the waste to designated dumping sites.
"The responsibility of the county government is to clean the main corridors and to ensure that the roads and the city in general are clean. But it is your responsibility to ensure that all the waste you generate in the house is taken to the Dandora dumping site, which is the final disposal point," Mosiria said.
"If they don't pay for these services, how do you expect us to provide them? We need to repair and service our vehicles, and still pay people who are responsible for the services," he added.
