Sanitation Concern: Greatwall Gardens Residents Decry Demolition Of Sewerage System

MACHAKOS,Kenya, Feb,21 – Thousands of residents in Athi River’s Greatwall Gardens Estate are up in arms over the ongoing demolition works at a sewerage line that serves the community.

At least 12,000 residents across the housing project are expected to suffer with many already citing preexisting sanitation and health concerns.

The sewer line is said to connect to the main line under the Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company services in Machakos County.

According to property developers, phase one of the estate has 2,000 houses while two and three have 600 houses each, respectively.

“We are calling relevant authorities to assist us and ensure we are not disconnected from the main line,” said a resident.

Phase 4 and 5 of the housing complex have 2,000 units, some of which are under construction.

If the ongoing demolition continues the residents say that, “there is no alternative sewerage line.”

Erdemann Property Limited head of planning department John Rajwai said the line being demolished was constructed at a cost of Sh500 million.

“We were surprised when we saw the sewer line being demolished ..even when we later sought police help who said we plan a meeting to address the issue. It is surpassing they did the work on a weekend… even when we contemplate taking a serious court action against this malicious damage to private property and we hope the court will give us redress,” said John Rajwai, head of planning,Erdemann Property Limited.

Court documents revealed that there was an ongoing case regarding the matter.

Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company Limited had filed a suit ELC NO. E 069 OF 2021 at the Environment and Land Court of Machakos against Safaricom Staff Pension Scheme Registered Trusties and Prestine Contractors Limited as first and second respondents respectively.

“We do not even know which court order they are working with and it surprising that the contractor does not even listen to the police…police have asked we have a meeting with them. Our surveyor will assess the cost of the damage,” he said.