Mavoko residents decry defective sewerage treatment plant, cite health risks

Residents of Valley View estate in Mavoko, Machakos county have raised concerns against a broken sewerage treatment plant in the area.

The residents said the raw sewage spills from the broken plant next to the estate, have caused havoc in the estate that hosts more than 2,000 people.

They said a two-day downpour experienced in the area a few days ago had already caused havoc.

The residents said the situation was made worse when a perimeter wall around the plant was pulled down causing a section of the estate to flood with raw sewage.

They said they are worried that the situation might worsen ahead of the anticipated El Nino rains.

Through their association Valley View Residents Association, the residents said their attempts to have the plant fixed by Machakos county government have not been fruitful.

The association’s vice chairman Kennedy Karisa said the most affected residents were those living next to the plant.

“We have dug big trenches in the upper part of the estate in preparation for El Nino rains. We are also clearing our own drainage systems,"he said.

"Our worry is that we have done our part as an estate. But, we are not sure whether the county government is going to do its part by fixing the sewerage plant."

The plant is managed by a local water and sewerage company belonging to the devolved administration.

The residents said the county government has failed to give them proper services despite paying Sh705 sewerage charges every month.

“We did not experience any problems when the sewerage system was being run by a private company because he used to exhaust it," said a resident.

"Problems started when the county government took over three years ago. They are collecting revenue but are not offering services."

Valley View estate is a gated community with 421 three-bedroomed houses, 100 houses occupied by Administration Police officers while 321 houses are occupied by civilians.

The officers’ units were officially commissioned by the then Minister of State Provincial Administration and Internal Affairs John Michuki in 2005.

Many structures in Mlolongo town and its environs use soak pits due to lack of a sewerage system.

The residents also raised concerns over lack of water at the estate for the past six years.

“We use water boozers to survive. A 5,000 litres water boozer of fresh water costs Sh3,700,” a resident said.

“We are suffering with our families, some of us have as many as seven people in a household.”

Their neigbours who are police officers are, however, supplied with fresh water from Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company for free.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti during a public participation forum on September 4, assured Mlolongo/Syokimau ward residents that her administration will address water and sewerage problems.

“I assure you that I have attentively listened to all your concerns and desires. I commit to ensure that everything we discussed today becomes a reality,” Ndeti said.