This archive report was first published on 23 December 2019.
December 23, 2019, marked a turning point in the long-standing battle between residents of Kitengela's New Valley Estate and their landlords over the discharge of raw sewer onto the roads.
The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has ordered an audit of a dozen buildings in the estate, which have been discharging effluent onto the roads for over two years.
Residents, who have been protesting the raw sewer menace, have expressed relief that Nema has finally taken action. 'Our long time plea has always been ignored by regional Nema and public health officers who seemingly are compromised by landlords,' said Jacqueline Makena, a resident.
Locals claim that Nema officers and public health officers have been hesitant to act, but the recent summons to a handful of landlords has sent a strong message that the authorities will not tolerate the continued discharge of raw sewer.
With the Ministry of Health having raised a cholera outbreak red flag in Kajiado county, residents are fearful of an outbreak of diseases due to the raw sewer.
