Pipeline residents urge Sakaja to clear garbage, sewerage

More than a week after The Star highlighted the plight of residents of Pipeline Area in Nairobi, the situation still remains dire.

The residents have resorted to using Twitter to get the attention of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to intervene.

Twitter user Honey Farsafi has been highlighting the sorry state of roads in Kware area of Pipeline daily for the past week, hoping to get a response from the governor.

Many other residents and non-residents of Pipeline have joined in to help grab the attention of duty-bearers.

“This is Kware pipeline, the issue has been highlighted countless times even by the media but nothing has been done. This is honestly sad, just look at this!” Farsafi tweeted.

She said with the cholera outbreak in parts of Nairobi, the situation could become catastrophic.

Elvies Kibisu said that something needs to be done urgently for residents of Pipeline.

“Pipeline's population is growing daily, constructions are happening day and night but amenities are not keeping up. Kindly make Pipeline work. When the rains come it's going to be even worse,” he said.

“Pipeline estate is not fit to live in. Construction of more houses must be stopped before solutions to the existing situation are found,” David Kamore said.

Wilson Wanjau said landlords in the area are to blame.

He said the issue is deeper than garbage as some buildings are sitting on sewer lines, water lines and public land.

“It’s a mess. These flats are just overpopulated. We have latrine-like sewer systems, plus it is somewhat swampy. Exhausters come every week, but the sewers fill up and then sip to the roads. Only the old Nairobi has a sewerage system, the rest don’t,” Wanjau said.

The area in question is flooded with garbage and sewerage making the roads impassable.

Sakaja had responded to a similar tweet on a situation in Korogocho, sending diggers to clear garbage and sewerage.

Farsafi however said she will have to stop her online advocacy to call leaders to account because she is receiving threats.

“The threats are starting to feel more real and overwhelming. I wouldn’t want to ever put anyone close to me in danger,” she said.

Nairobi has been said to have cartels who threaten the development of the city, especially concerning water and other amenities.