The traders are threatening to stage protests in the city if the county government will not intervene urgently to repair the damaged sewers that have burst in urban and residential areas.
Traders in the jua kali sector, led by Elijah Kiambati, said their pleas to the county government to urgently repair the sewers have fallen on deaf ears, yet the risks to residents are enormous and worsening.
“We have been reporting to the authorities about the open sewers but there has been no response to deal with the situation, which is worsening as the sewer is now running on the roads and through some of the jua kali sheds,” he said.
Kiambati spoke at Asis area, where many garages have been affected by the open sewers and operators have been forced to suspend operations for the past two weeks.
Residents of Langas estate had last week protested over the open sewers after a person was rescued when he fell into an open manhole.
Kiambati said as the business community, they pay county rates and charges and they deserve to be helped by the county government when such situations arise.
“If they can’t help us, then there is no need for us to pay charges yet they are not using the same to deal with such critical issues that endanger lives,” he said.
Health executive Abraham Serem said they have received the complaints from residents over the open sewers and are working with the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company to handle the situation.
“We take seriously such issues raised by our people and we are dealing with the matter,” he said.
Serem said the heavy rain pounding the region is largely to blame for the damage on sewer lines and the drainage system.
The county has ordered those who have encroached on areas reserved for drainage systems to move out before they are forcibly evicted.
The water firm is charged with the responsibility of handling the sewer issue but it has in the recent past faced challenges. A month ago, residents were shocked to get coloured water from their taps, sparking concern from residents.
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has urged the county and the water firm to handle with seriousness the issues raised over the quality of water and the open sewers in the town.
“We cannot compromise with the health of our people and we demand to see serious actions on handling the concerns raised by residents,” he said.
Mandago said residents risk suffering from waterborne diseases, which has been recorded in parts of the town.
A team of officers from the public health department has been dispatched to carry out a survey in the town and implement urgent response to avert outbreaks that may result from the deterioration of health standards in the city.
Eldoret Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Willy Kenei urged the county government to intervene and ensure a safe working condition for the traders.
