Nairobi residents raise concern over dumping of garbage on Juja, Jogoo road

By Michael Omwaga

Residents of Nairobi’s Eastlands area are worried over wanton disposal of garbage along major roads.

According to the residents, mountains of garbage are often left to rot by the roadside, on a number of roads, degrading the environment and exposing residents to health risks.

The garbage is said to be dumped in the dead of the night by unscrupulous garbage collectors and traders.

Residents say that the dumping has become a public health and safety hazard to them and road users.

“Some garbage collectors go around collecting waste from markets and businesses in the estates at a small fee, then proceed to dump it all on these roads.

“Many businesses turn to these fake and unregistered garbage collectors because they are cheap. These are the people who dump waste just about anywhere.”

“This kind of behaviour is making our estates and capital dirty,” said Anthony Kamau, a resident of Makongeni estate in Nairobi.

Kamau says that the Jogoo road stretch has been desecrated with garbage and mounds of soil damped on it.

“The underside of the Makadara footbridge has been turned into a garbage point. One can see garbage sitting on the strip of land right in the middle of the road, and has been there for quite a while now, and no one seems to bother,” he says.

Other areas include sections of Jogoo road just around the Burma market and the City Stadium round-about, heading towards Landhies road.

It’s the same story in areas around Juja road – where hills of stinking garbage is often left to rot next to the road.

Areas around Mlango Kubwa and Mathare are said to be notorious, with residents dumping garbage without a care in the world.

Residents say that living conditions have degenerated greatly, with smell of rotting garbage taking over the air.

Mlango Kubwa resident Priscah Musila told Wananchi Reporting that the stench of rotting garbage and sewage has become part of the environment and even the house.

“The smell is very strong, all the time. Those living near the road have to close their windows all the time, but even this does not help much,” she says.  

Residents now want those found to promote illegal dumping to be arrested and punished as a deterrent.

Meanwhile, businesses and market leadership have been asked to enforce proper waste management and disposal practices.