- Homa Bay Water and Sewerage Company (Homawasco) acknowledged the problem and promised to address the matter.
- Homawasco Managing Director said a plan to relocate the treatment plan is underway.
Image: KNA
As you approach Homa Bay town from the direction of Kendu Bay, a foul stench hits you. The stench is from the local sewerage treatment plant, which is reportedly poorly maintained.
Residents have lodged numerous complaints about the failure of the county government to address the poor state of the sewerage plant.
For months, the plant is said to have been producing a bad odor, which makes it difficult for the residents to breathe comfortably.
The sewerage treatment plant is located on the shores of Lake Victoria in Makongeni Estate, adjacent to the department of Transport and Public Works.
The National Housing Corporation is undertaking the construction of affordable houses just opposite the plant and has Juakali artisan shades producing furniture as its neighbours.
Thomas Opyo, a resident of Makongeni Estate, said the bad smell taints the image of the town.
“The stench greets you when you approach the town. It creates a bad impression, especially for both domestic and foreign tourists visiting the area,” Thomas said.
He urged the county government to speed up the plans to relocate the plant for air quality around the place to improve. Traders complained the unpleasant smell affected their business.
Felix Omondi and Emilly Atieno, who sell tree seedlings by the roadside in Makongeni Estate, said they have lost business because motorists no longer make stopovers in the area to buy trees.
“As we walk customers around to check on the seedlings, they get disgusted by the stench, and some leave without purchasing seedlings. The bad smell may lead to health complications, especially for people who stay in the area for long hours,” Atieno said.
Trucks carrying raw sewage can be seen depositing waste at the plant daily. The infrastructure at the plant has deteriorated, with part of the perimeter wall having collapsed several months ago.
Homawasco Managing Director Tom Nyonje said the wall collapsed during El Nino rains and the water company was in the process of rehabilitating the plant.
“A short-term solution will be to rebuild the walls and address the smell, but we have long-term plans of relocating the treatment plant to a new location," he said.
Nyonje said they have secured a piece of land where the plant will be moved, and robust public participation will be conducted.
"Governor Gladys Wanga has sought funding for the project from the African Development Bank," Njonje said.