Eldoret residents block major sewer line project

A trench dug in preparation for establishing a sewer line in Racecourse, Eldoret. Residents claim the project has been established on public land without their involvement. (PHOTO: MICHAEL OLINGA/ STANDARD)

Eldoret residents have blocked the construction of a sewer line by a private developer, citing discrimination in the way the project is being implemented.

The residents of Racecourse vowed not allow construction of the 1.8km sewer line to go on until a proposal involving them was approved.

During a meeting with the county government and Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas), the residents questioned how the authorities allowed the private developer to construct the sewer line on a public utility land.

Linah Chebet, a resident, wondered why the developer, who has put up palatial residential houses in the area, had been allowed to construct the sewer line on land that should first benefit the residents.

“We will not allow the project to go on because this is public land and has only been left to benefit an individual yet the Government has done nothing to ensure that we also have a functioning sewer line,” said Chebet.

Raymond Ng’aru said the locals wanted to be connected to the private sewer line because they currently depend on septic tanks and that the government had shown no efforts to offer the basic service.

 Electric pump

“For over 20 years, we have been requesting to be provided with a public sewer line but all in vain. We cannot let this line pass through here without having us connected. We were not consulted on the matter,” said Ng’aru.

Rose Kang’ethe said the private investor and the authorities complicated the project’s implementation by not involving them in the initial stages.

“We are ready to foot some of the costs that may come up because this is a basic service,” she added.

Eldowas Managing Director Reuben Tuwei had a difficult moment convincing the residents that the private investor had opted to use an electric pump to convey the waste to the public sewer line, hence it would be difficult for the other residents to be included.

Tuwei agreed the project would not continue until surveyors from the company in charge of water supply and sewerage redo the plan to incorporate the locals.