Poor drainage systems blamed as waste spills into business premises in Kitengela after downpour

By , K24 Digital
On Sat, 25 Mar, 2023 15:53 | 3 mins read
Drainage water spilling into business premises in Kitengela. PHOTOS/Christine Musa
Drainage water spilling into business premises in Kitengela. PHOTOS/Christine Musa

As rains continue to pound in most parts of the country, the business community in Kitengela town is counting massive losses occasioned by blocked water drainages.

Business owners who operate next to drainage lines have nothing to write home about after flash floods caused massive destruction to their businesses.

The helpless business persons were forced to drain the water using buckets fearing that if the rains continue, they will incur more losses.

Flood water freely flow at Kitengela business premises following a heavy downpour. PHOTO/Christine Musa

For instance, the drainage along Nomads hotel, Taabarak wholesalers through to Chini ya mnazi was totally blocked causing water to spill over to a stretch of one kilometer.

A spot-check by K24 Digital on Saturday, March 25, reveal a picture of agitation and confusion among traders who were trying to salvage their wares.

"Rains are a big blessing that we have been praying for but it’s so sad to see that we are now counting losses due to blocked drainages. There would be no loss from the rains if the drainage was operational," Alex Kibochi, decried.

The state of flood water at Kitengela business premises caused by blocked drainages. PHOTO/Christine Musa

According to the traders, the drainage blockage is a result of negligence by the county government as they had raised alarm on the issue.

They further accuse rogue County askaris of allowing traders to illegally operate along the drainage that they use to dump their waste.

"If you look at the top of the drainage, some traders have built stands which they operate their business. Why would county enforcement officers allow traders to conduct business on top of the drainage? The drainage is also being utilized for careless dumping. The drainage is supposed to be open, "Mary Ndai questioned.

Workers at Taabarak Wholesalers clear flood water. PHOTO/Christine Musa

Agitated residents instead removed the business stands and resorted to unblocking the drainage themselves.

"We have reached out to the concerned authorities over the matter. We cannot just assume and wait for further losses; that is why we are putting our own effort to unblock the drainage," Abu Manan said.

Kitengela county administration officer in charge of the town operations Bruce Likama confirmed to have received the complaints saying that the traders will be issued with notices to vacate operating along the drainage system.

Kitengela residents volunteer to unblock a blocked drainage at Chini ya mnazi area. PHOTO/Christine Musa

"I am on that case, so far we have established that illegal waste dumping has contributed to the menace of blocking the drainage. We will ensure that no trade operates on top of the drainage," Likama told this reporter on phone.

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