Residents of Huruma flats in Mathare, Nairobi county, on Thursday, January 7 faulted the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) for failing to clear a heap of garbage that has blocked a major road.
The residents have complained about the road that has since become impassable due to the mountain of garbage sitting on the tarmac. Residents have also complained about the foul smell and the danger it poses to their health.
The matter, according to the residents, had been brought to the attention of the area MP Anthony Oluoch and the ward representative.
Matatu drivers plying the route have expressed their disaffection and asked the NMS to clear the garbage.
"This county has the NMS and NYS, but I wonder what work they are doing. One of the services should act on the garbage because they have lorries to do so.
"The garbage is not being collected. The road is wide, yes, but vehicles cannot pass because of the garbage. It's sad because the government spends a lot of money building roads," stated one of the matatu drivers.
One of the residents blamed youth groups in the area for collecting and dumping garbage in the middle of the road.
"Youth groups are responsible for dumping trash here, they are doing so because they are allowed to do so by the authorities.
"I appeal to the Government to put a stop to this menace to benefit the whole community," explained one of the residents in the area.
The situation has left parents in Mathare concerned as motorbikes and pedestrians compete for the sidewalks. The parents fear for the safety of their school-going children who use the same road.
A better section of the road has also been taken over by traders selling food products and other wares - most of whom claim they have lost customers due to the bad smell emanating from the garbage heap.
The city has been grappling with garbage menace that has become an eyesore in most estates.
