NAIROBI, August 3 – Residents of Kamukunji constituency are raising concerns over dilapidated roads and deteriorating drainage systems in the densely populated estates of Eastleigh, Gikomba and Biafra.
A cross-section of Eastleigh residents who spoke to Capital News said the area is choking under sewage waste adding that transport has been grossly hampered by poor, and sometimes impassable, roads.
Businessman Patrick Muchiri who runs a food kiosk at Eastleigh Section 3 said the he had lost substantial business because of a chronic stench emanating from an overflowing sewage along a nearby road.
“This sewage has a terrible smell that has repelled customers from this area. It is just hard to stomach this stench,” Muchiri complained.
Muchiri said he had, alongside his colleagues, attempted to intervene, but with little success.
The disturbed residents are now calling for immediate government intervention.
Meanwhile, they have lauded High Court’s expediency in concluding the case that had kept them waiting for a Member of Parliament (MP) seven months after the parliamentary elections.
Kamukunji constituency was one of the three constituencies whose election was nullified due to irregularities.
A Party of National Unity (PNU) aspirant, Simon Ng’ang’a Mbugua consequently moved to court to compel the Electoral Commission of Kenya to have him declared winner.
The court Tuesday ruled in his favour and much as he is poised to gain the seat, he has a lot in his closet to clear.
Eastleigh, Majengo, Gikomba, Pumwani and Biafra are some of the areas that need radical refurbishing, based on their antique and worn out infrastructure.
Gikomba is Kenya’s largest open-air market dealing in second hand goods and fresh farm produce from upcountry.
The area is the worst affected, languishing in chronic congestion, and is engulfed by pepper-sting air, contaminated with rotten garbage and sewage smell, Gikomba Businessmen in an interview with Capital News revealed
“The government should fast intervene and save us,” Tabitha Njeri, a pastor in the area said.
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