Landlords in Githunguri who have been illegally discharging wastewater into public drains have been warned that legal action will be taken against them, following a major clean-up operation to restore the town’s drainage system and safeguard public health.
The Department of Water, Environment, Energy, Natural Resources and Climate Change, led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) David Kuria, supervised the successful unclogging of a heavily blocked drainage channel in Githunguri Town.
The operation, conducted by the Githunguri Municipal team, was prompted by persistent flooding and unsanitary conditions caused by wastewater accumulating from nearby buildings. The drainage, designed exclusively for stormwater, had been filled with effluent and debris after some business owners constructed temporary stalls over the channel. These illegal structures were dismantled to allow county engineers to access and clean the blocked section.
CECM Kuria warned that the county will not tolerate any misuse of public infrastructure, emphasizing that the drainage systems were designed to manage rainwater and prevent flooding, not to serve as sewers for private waste disposal.
“Any landlord or business operator found diverting waste into the drainage network will face legal action,” Kuria said. “We are determined to maintain a clean and healthy environment for all residents.”
The clean-up is part of an ongoing county initiative aimed at improving sanitation standards and preventing outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Local health officials have cautioned that stagnant wastewater in residential and commercial areas poses serious health risks, including cholera and typhoid.
Residents and traders have welcomed the county’s swift intervention, saying the situation had reached alarming levels. Philip Ndirangu, a businessman in Githunguri, said the community had been struggling with overflowing sewage for months.
“Our town was becoming uninhabitable due to raw sewage flooding the streets,” Ndirangu said. “This exercise has brought relief, and we appreciate the efforts made to restore cleanliness and order.”
He added that parts of the town, particularly near GDC Sacco and along the Total–Tai Sacco Road, had been severely affected, putting children, traders, and customers at risk.
Residents have been advised to avoid contact with flooded areas, boil or treat drinking water, and observe strict hygiene measures as the county continues its sanitation programme.
“We urge everyone to keep the drains clear and maintain hygiene,” Ndirangu said. “A clean Githunguri is everyone’s responsibility.”
By Grace Naishoo
