Hiiraan Online
Monday, June 29, 2015
RESIDENTS of Eastleigh estate on Saturday protested against poor state of roads, sanitation and uncollected garbage.
Led by businessmen and activists, the residents said despite the huge revenues collected by the county government, piles of uncollected garbage and refuse remains an eyesore.
They gave the county government a one-week ultimatum to clear the garbage, failure to which they will lobby the business community to boycott paying taxes.
“Eastliegh contributes 30 per cent of the county government’s revenue. But we are not getting services commensurate to the taxes,”Ahmed Mohamed, an activist in Eastliegh said.
He said it is unfortunate. Devolution has not benefited the people of Eastleigh despite the billions collected everyday. Burst sewer lines, water shortage and poor feeder roads that made their lives a "living hell".
Eastleigh North county Assembly Member Osman Adow asked the county government to enforce city by-laws against garbage dumping.
“The county government of Nairobi is not serious in enforcing environmental laws. City by laws are abused with impunity. It is as if the government is only interested in money,” he said.
He said the Assembly Committee on Environment is preparing a report on the state of the environment in the area.
Governor Evans Kidero through communication director, Walter Mongare said the matter will be addressed.
Business premises remained closed for the better part of day as residents waved placards accusing the government of neglect.
Despite the recent refurbishment of some roads, There are heaps of uncollected rubbish dumped on rail barriers.
The angry residents said they blame street children for the garbage menace.
In 2010, Eastleigh Business Community sued the then Nairobi City over similar grievances.
The court restrained the city council from collecting any levy until the proper garbage collecting is put in place.
Mukatr Maalim Ahmed, Hiiraan Online
[email protected]
Nairobi