Residents and business operators at Oruba Market in the Oyinjo area on the outskirts of Migori town have called on the Migori County Municipality management to urgently redesign a drainage trench and install proper culverts to address persistent water stagnation.
The business community, led by Paul Odhiambo, said the trench, which was constructed to channel runoff water to River Migori, has instead retained stagnant water for the past seven months due to what they termed as poor planning and flawed design.
According to the traders, the trench was meant to allow smooth flow of storm water through installed culverts and direct it downstream. However, the design has caused water to collect and remain trapped, creating an unhealthy and unsafe business environment.
Area residents and traders recently embarked on a cleanup exercise to remove mud and garbage from the trench in an effort to restore water flow. The initiative was supported by the area Member of Parliament, Peter Masara.
“We decided to clean the trench by removing mud and trash dumped inside it to see whether the water can flow downstream,” said Odhiambo. “But the problem is bigger than waste; it is a design issue that needs technical correction.”
The traders lamented that the stagnant water has destroyed property, including welding equipment and motorbike spare parts, which form a major part of the businesses operating along the trench. They added that the flooded and muddy conditions have driven away customers, leading to financial losses.
“It is very unfair for us to do the work of the municipality, yet we pay levies and taxes,” Odhiambo said. “We expect better services, including proper drainage and garbage collection.”
The business community accused the municipal management of failing to provide essential services, particularly waste management, which has worsened the situation by allowing garbage to clog the drainage system. They warned that unless urgent action is taken, traders will continue incurring losses and the market’s reputation will suffer further damage.
Peter Owiti, a motorbike mechanic at the market, echoed the concerns, saying the stagnant water has made the area filthy and increased the risk of malaria and other waterborne diseases.
“Our customers are now taking their motorbikes to other garages because the environment here is unsafe and messy,” said Owiti. “We are losing business every day because of this trench.”
He added that ensuring a clean and safe working environment is the responsibility of the county government. Beyond fixing the trench, Owiti called for improved social amenities, including the construction of an ablution block to promote hygiene standards within the market.
“We have been forced to clean the market ourselves because if we don’t work, we incur losses,” he said.
By Makokha Khaoya
