Businesses closed over health scare

By Antony Gitonga

Health officers in Naivasha have closed more than 20 businesses after the main sewer system burst, spilling raw sewage onto the streets.

This came as residents living near the burst sewer along Moi Avenue complained of vomiting and diarrhoea.

The move left the traders counting losses running into millions of shillings as it emerged that the old system could not handle sewage due to the increased population.

The most affected were the chief’s office, hotels, bars and several shops along the busy road.

Closing down the businesses, District Health Officer Samuel King’ori said the premises would remain shut until the problem was solved.

"We cannot allow traders to continue selling food next to the burst sewer as it could lead to a disease outbreak," he said.

Exonerate firm

Mr King’ori, however, exonerated the local water and sewerage company from blame, saying they were doing their best to clear the mess.

He blamed the sewer system constructed in the early 1980s, saying it could no longer handle the town’s waste.

A trader and environmentalist, Mr Andrew Korinko, said they would march to the water company offices to demand that action be taken.

"We are paying taxes and we are not getting services and now we fear there might be an outbreak of typhoid," he said.

Korinko said the sewer system was breaking down weekly, and called on the Ministry of Water to intervene.