Residents in Ngara Ward are raising concerns over an abandoned excavation site that has transformed into a hazardous dumping ground.
The excavation, located on plot number 209/2312 and registered under Dam Holdings Company Limited, was abandoned in 2012 after the Nairobi County Government identified that the developer lacked the necessary permits.
Since then, water has collected in the open excavation, approximately 4 meters deep, posing a threat to nearby residents and structures.
Pauline Nyokabi Gathirwa, the Kensia House Manager, a building sharing a border with the excavated plot, expressed her concerns about the rising water levels due to heavy downpours caused by El Nino.
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The increased water level is endangering their building, and despite numerous attempts to raise the issue with the County Government and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) since 2012, no effective action has been taken.
Ms Gathirwa highlighted the potential danger, stating, “In 2020, someone was murdered, and the body was dumped here, and the police came and collected the body. This excavation has become a hazard because of the structural damage it might cause to our building.”
The stagnant water has caused damage to infrastructure, including their underground tank, prompting concerns about the safety of the building.
The excavation has also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, raising worries among residents about the safety of their children. Despite numerous communications to the Nairobi City County since 2013, the issue remains unresolved, and the site continues to serve as an illegal dumping ground.
Ms Gathirwa emphasised, “It’s just an eyesore and very dangerous for us and the neighbors on the other sides.”
The abandoned excavation, known as Kensia Dam on Google Maps, is a misnomer, as there is no actual dam by that name in the vicinity.
Residents hope that authorities will address the safety concerns and environmental hazards posed by the neglected site.
