Kibra residents grapple with worsening pollution and unsafe water

Residents of Kibra in Nairobi are raising concern over an escalating environmental crisis caused by poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and ineffective waste management, which they say is now threatening their health, livelihoods, and dignity.

In the heart of the informal settlement, where narrow alleys wind between tightly packed homes and small-scale businesses, piles of uncollected garbage are becoming a familiar — and unwelcome — sight.

The situation is especially dire near business areas, where traders like Brian Wanjohi are struggling to cope.

Brian, who runs a small shop selling household goods, says pollution is one of his biggest daily battles.

"The smell around here is unbearable. Garbage is dumped near my shop, and sometimes it sits there for weeks. I lose customers because nobody wants to shop next to a heap of rotting waste," he said.

"We are trying to make a living, but this environment is not safe for anyone."

Another serious concern raised by residents is water safety. Grace Malika, a mother of two and long-time resident of Kibra, says the community is facing increased cases of water contamination due to poor piping systems.

“Our water pipes pass underground, often next to leaking sewer lines. We fear that sewage is mixing with the drinking water, especially when it rains,” Grace explained.

“We also have a problem with people carelessly disposing of used baby diapers. You’ll find them in drainage channels, on the roads, even outside people’s houses. It’s dangerous and unhygienic.”

Her concerns are echoed by many others in the area, where diarrhea, typhoid, and other waterborne diseases remain prevalent due to inadequate access to clean water and proper sanitation.

In response to these growing concerns, Nairobi County officials say they are taking steps to address the issues. Erick Inda, the Coordinator for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Nairobi County, confirmed that the county is aware of the pollution challenges in Kibra.

“We have identified the major contaminants and areas of concern. When residents report cases of contamination, we immediately deploy teams to collect water samples and conduct tests,” said Inda.

“We are not ignoring the problem. We are working with partners to ensure that the water provided is safe and the environment is improved,” he said.

Inda also emphasized that sanitation infrastructure must be improved at the household level.

“Every household should ideally have its own toilet. That’s the standard we are working towards. While public toilets offer a temporary solution, the long-term goal is to ensure every home has access to safe sanitation,” he said.

Kibra is home to an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 residents, many of whom live in informal structures with limited access to basic services. The lack of a structured waste collection system means garbage can go uncollected for weeks or even months at a time.

Residents also report that garbage collectors often delay pickups or simply avoid hard-to-reach areas.

“We can stay for even four months without anyone coming to collect garbage,” said one resident, adding that: “You’re forced to burn it or throw it in the river.”

This poor waste management has ripple effects across the community, affecting air quality, clogging drainage systems, and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks especially during the rainy season.

As Kibra grapples with these complex sanitation challenges, residents remain hopeful that promises made by officials will translate into real, lasting change before the pollution crisis spirals further out of control.