Heaps of garbage outside Songa Mbele na Masomo Centre. Photo/Sammy Kimatu
BY SAMMY KIMATU
The management of a learning institution serving children living with disabilities in Mukuru-Kisii slum, South B, Nairobi County, has raised concern over a heap of garbage dumped along the Ngong River, opposite the centre.
Teachers and learners at Songa Mbele na Masomo Centre, which caters for children living with disabilities, fear that the growing pile of waste could pose a serious health risk and increase the threat of flooding if heavy rains continue.
The concerns come amid warnings of heavy rainfall and possible flooding in many parts of the country, raising fears that the garbage could block the river and drainage channels, worsening the situation for residents living nearby.
An official from Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC), which runs the institution, said the situation was worrying because of the centre’s proximity to the garbage site.
“It is shocking since the garbage poses a health risk to our centre as well as a threat of flooding during the expected El Nino rains as predicted by the weatherman,” the official said.
The official called on relevant authorities to intervene and ensure the garbage is removed before the rains intensify.
Temporary waste holding point
Yesterday, area chief Edwin Murunga explained that the site where the garbage is deposited is being used as a temporary holding point by Climate Worx, a youth clean-up project of River Ngong.
Mr Murunga said garbage is normally collected and temporarily deposited at the site before being transported to the Dandora dumpsite.
“We normally deposit the garbage at the site every three days before the NYS lorries come to collect the garbage and take it to Dandora Dumpsite. The lorries are parked across the river at Mukuru-Sokoni slum,” Mr Murunga said.
He said local authorities were aware of the concerns raised by the learning centre and were working to sensitise residents and other stakeholders on proper waste management.
The chief added that efforts were underway to ensure residents understood the importance of keeping the area clean and avoiding activities that could worsen flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
The waste accumulation has renewed concerns among residents and institutions located near the river over the management of garbage in the informal settlement.
Read more: El-Nino: Gov’t issues measures as Kenya braces for heavy rains
Teachers at Songa Mbele na Masomo Centre said they were particularly concerned because the centre serves children who may be more vulnerable to health hazards associated with poorly managed waste.
They urged authorities and waste management agencies to find a lasting solution to the problem and prevent further accumulation of garbage near the institution and the Ngong River.
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