Health Concerns As Garbage Cartels Convert Public Roads Into Dumping Sites In Dagoretti North

NAIROBI Kenya May 31 -There is a looming public health crisis due to illegal dumping on two public roads in Dagoretti North.

The sites, according to the local residents, have also become a haven for criminals behind the recent surge in cases of mugging and general insecurity.

Among the most affected are the young children who have to use the same roads while going to school and risk contracting diseases like cholera, typhoid, and other respiratory illnesses.

The area legislator, Beatrice Elachi, has in the past accused landlords for failing to ensure garbage collected from their premises is dumped in the designated areas.

Locals say both the police and officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have turned a blind eye, leaving the community feeling abandoned and unheard.

“Who protects these cartels who have converted public roads into illegal dumping sites?” A resident asked.

Residents are now facing the additional burden of waste spilling into private land and residential property, exacerbating the situation.

The situation has been attributed to apparent negligence, corruption, and compromised officials.

The affected community has demanded immediate action and called on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of the people he is entrusted to serve.

“The time for accountability and swift action is now. The people of Dagoretti North constituency deserve a safe living environment, clean air, and clean water,” Judy Nyawira, a mother of two and an area resident asserted.

“It is crucial for those in power to rise to the occasion and address this pressing issue promptly. Failure to act will only perpetuate the suffering and risk the lives of the community members,” she added.