Mathare, one of Nairobi’s most densely populated informal settlements, is grappling with severe sanitation issues that are crippling local businesses and posing significant health risks to residents.
Open-air eateries, which play a crucial role in the community’s economy and daily life, are particularly impacted by the inadequate drainage system and blocked sewer lines.
For example, the unpleasant odor emanating from a nearby raw sewage line deters potential customers for Abdallah Ramadan, who runs a small mandazi business in Mathare.
Food businesses in Mathare are facing significant challenges due to the visibly blocked sewer lines.
“The stagnant, contaminated water makes the environment unsanitary, driving away customers and leading to a significant drop in income for these small business owners,” Ramadan tells Citizen Digital.
The smell alone is enough to deter anyone from dining in the area, not to mention the health concerns associated with consuming food in such conditions.
“No buyer will develop interest in your mandazi when an open sewer line passes at your place of work. Hygiene is key in any business establishment,” he said.
These eateries, essential to Mathare’s local economy, provide affordable meals to residents and employment opportunities for many.
However, the ongoing sanitation crisis threatens the livelihoods of these business owners.
Looking around the area, it is difficult to find decent public sanitation facilities.
The blocked sewer lines and resulting poor drainage have severe health implications for Mathare’s residents.
The use of “flying toilets”—plastic bags used for defecation and discarded in open areas—remains a common practice due to the lack of affordable and accessible public sanitation facilities.
Although there are a few poorly managed facilities in Mathare, they come at a cost that many residents cannot afford.
Consequently, those without means resort to using open sewer lines to relieve themselves.
“Not everyone can afford to use public toilets; that’s why many people bathe in their houses and even ease themselves in these sewer lines,” a resident shared.
Children are particularly vulnerable, as they often play near these open sewers and are exposed to numerous pathogens, leading to frequent illnesses such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and other waterborne diseases.
