Nakuru city Director of Environment Timothy Kiogora has urged Nakuru residents to exercise responsible waste disposal and refrain from inappropriate dumping of waste and sewage into rivers and drainage systems.
Kiogora noted that illegal dumping of waste had exacerbated environmental damage making the city more vulnerable to floods.
He emphasized the importance of enforcing environmental regulations, routine clean-ups and adopting sustainable solutions to address the root causes of the menace.
In this regard, he said, Nakuru City Management has also rolled out a major initiative to address flood risks in low-lying areas of the city that are highly prone to flooding during heavy rains.
The initiative focuses on implementing immediate interventions and long-term preventive measures while imparting local residents with knowledge and experiences of recurring flood challenges.
As part of the initiative, the city technical team led by the City Manager Mr Gitau Thabanja conducted a detailed assessment of River Ndarugu in Rhonda, Kapkures, Kaptembwa and Barut Wards which has suffered severe siltation caused by poor waste disposal and illegal sewage connections.
These issues have contributed to river stagnation and increased flooding risks in the nearby communities.
Mr Thabanja emphasized the need to educate residents on the negative impacts of environmental degradation and urged them to adopt proper waste management practices to safeguard water bodies.
The City team also identified several critical infrastructures that require urgent interventions such as the Mwariki-Barut access bridge, Soimet Bridge and several roads in the area that need an upgrade.
Mr Thabanja said prompt action to restore road networks connections would be undertaken to ensure the safety of residents and uninterrupted access during the rainy season.
Mr Thabanja further assured the residents of Governor Susan Kihika’s commitment to address long-standing developments issues that are critical in building a resilient city.
He emphasized the need for timely budget allocations to implement planned development projects that will ultimately improve the standards of living for the residents.
By Jane Ngugi
