Traders and residents in Migori have raised alarm over a garbage pile they say has remained uncollected for weeks, affecting businesses and raising health concerns in the town.
The residents say the accumulating waste has produced a persistent foul smell, forcing customers to avoid nearby businesses, including hotels, salons and other small enterprises.
Jackline Alex, a businesswoman from Marindi market, said the situation has severely affected their livelihoods, with businesses struggling to attract customers.
“We are asking the county government to help us remove this garbage because it is affecting our businesses. Customers are no longer coming because of the bad smell,” the trader said.
Residents also expressed concern over children playing near the waste, saying prolonged exposure to the garbage could expose them to health risks.
They further raised concerns about water flowing from the garbage site, saying the runoff moves downstream towards the Onyijo area and Migori town, affecting people and businesses along the way.
Cythian Ayango, a trader in Migori town, expressed her fear that the situation could worsen with the expected El Niño rains in September.
The traders are now calling on the Migori County Government, particularly the relevant environment and waste management departments, to urgently clear the garbage and restore sanitation in the area.
Ayango noted that the continued accumulation of waste was affecting both the business community and residents around Migori Municipality.
“The business people are crying, and those living here are also suffering. We are asking the county government to do what it is expected to do and collect the garbage immediately,” said Ayango.
Bunge la Mwananchi-Migori branch, Charles Osewe, explained that the livelihoods of traders have been affected by the uncollected garbage across the Migori Municipality.
Osewe urged the county government to intervene before the situation deteriorates to savage businesses that continue to be affected by the garbage menace.
He also appealed to relevant authorities to assess the sanitation situation and address any potential public-health risks associated with the accumulated waste.
Meanwhile, the Migori Municipal Board Chairperson Robert Mandela promised the residents that the mechanism has already been put in place to ensure all the garbage across the municipality is collected in the quickest time to prevent any future inconveniences.
By Calton Ombok and Makokha Khaoya
