Nakuru’s ‘Markets of garbage’

Uncollected garbage at Wakulima market that has seen traders fault Environment and Public Health siting risk of contaminating diseases like cholera that killed 17 people in Nakuru cumulatively after it was reported in May. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/STANDARD]

NAKURU: Traders have accused the county government of laxity after it failed to collect garbage for two weeks.

The traders from Wakulima and Top markets said they have been forced to do business next to the stinking garbage, which has made some customers stay away.

“The market has become worse with the current rains. We fear people might contract cholera if the stinking garbage is not collected soon,” said Elizabeth Wairimu, a vegetable and fruit vendor.

Ms Wairimu observed that the county government continues to collect Sh360 fee each month, yet it was not offering any services.

“Why should the government collect taxes yet heaps of trash and flies rule the market ? We are not getting the services we deserve. If this continues, traders will abscond from paying taxes,” she said.

But Environment Executive Richard Rop said the department lacks money to fuel lorries that collect garbage from the market. “It is true that garbage has been lying at the market but we have no money to clear the mess,” said Rop.